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Translation Prize Presentation Ceremony

Twenty-Second Translation Prizes for 2012 were presented on 23 August 2013 in an elegant function held at Sri Pitti Thyagaraja Hall, G.N. Chetty Road, T. Nagar, . The Translation Prize presentation function was organized followed by Translators’ Meet and Abhivyakti programme inviting writers from all over the country.

L-R: Sreenivasarao, Secretary, , Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Akademi President, , eminent Tamil fiction writer and Chandrashekhar Kambar, Vice President, Sahitya Akademi

idely publicised literary event, the programme view over organizing the ‘Translation Award Wattracted writers, translators, scholars and Presentation’ function in Chennai as lovers of from all over . is one of the ancient languages whose Inaugural function held in the evening on 23 has a hoary past. Sangam literature reflects the August 2013, K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya rich tradition and culture of the Tamils in the Akademi delivered his welcome address. very first century. Bhakti literature founded by Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, veteran poet and Alwars and Nayanmars in Tamil spread to the President of Sahitya Akademi presided over the northern part of creating a Bhakti tradition award presentation function and presented the in the medieval period. The great Indian poet Translation Prizes to the awardees. Eminent Tamil fiction writer Ashokamitran was the chief guest; and Chandrashekhar Kambar, veteran writer and Vice-President of Sahitya Akademi delivered concluding speech and also proposed a vote of thanks. In his welcome address, Dr. Sreenivasarao mentioned that translation is one of the pivotal activities of Sahitya Akademi. He expressed his

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 1 Subramanian Bharati, who dreamt of a unified India and liberty for women was a Tamilian—one of the few visionaries produced in the modern era. He influenced Indian writers cutting across the boundaries. Dr. Rao welcomed the chief guest, the President of the Akademi Prof. Tiwari, the Vice-President Prof. Kambar, the members of General Council of Sahitya Akademi and literature lovers. Sahitya Akademi is bound to preserve, nurture and disseminate not only creative literature but also literature in translations as well, he informed. The President of the Akademi gave away Translation Prizes to Pankaj Thakur (Assamese); Oinam Nilkantha Ashokamitran Singha (Bengali); Swarna Prabha Chainary (Bodo); Shashi Pathania (Dogri); M.L. Thangappa (English); Shalini Chandrakant Topiwala (Gujarati); Ramji Tiwari (Hindi); K.K. Nair and (Kannada); Abdul Ahad Hajini (Kashmir); Gurunath Shivaji Kelekar (Konkani); Mahendra Narayan Ram (Maithili); Anand (P. Satchidanandan) (); Elangbam Sonamani Singh (Manipuri); Sharda Sathe (Marathi); Gita Upadhyay (Nepali); Prasanta Kumar Mohanty (Odia); Satish Kumar Verma (Punjabi); Poora Sharma ‘Pooran’ (Rajasthani); Bhagirathi Nanda (); Ravindra Nath Murmu (Santali); Hiro

Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari Thakur (Sindhi); G. Nanjundan (Tamil); R.Venkateswara Rao (Telugu) and Ather Farouqui (). After the presentation of the prizes, Prof. Tiwari delivered his presidential address. He expressed his great pleasure in organizing this important multi-lingual literary event and its Translation Prize presentation function in a historically rich and culturally vibrant city of Chennai. Tamil language is one of the foremost languages of our nation and also the world. Tamil people greatly revere their writers in general. When he first visited Tamil Nadu 40 years ago, he found the portraits of Tiruvalluvar kept in the buses and also one of his couplets along with Chandrashekhar Kambar them. Switching over to his experiences with languages, Prof. Tiwari said that he belonged to a village in Eastern U.P. where English was alien to him. He did not even know Hindi as people of his village speak a dialect of Hindi. Translation is the part and parcel for our communication in the multilingual society. Though translation is a tough job to do but it is most necessary in a multilingual country like ours. Prime importance is given to discuss the place of mother tongues and areas pertaining to translations in Sahitya Akademi. Prof. Tiwari remarked that, “Translation is a difficult exercise, more difficult than original writing. It is a herculean task to give justice to the original in translations”. He cited examples of different K. Sreenivasarao

2 DELHI words to denote the meaning of ‘house’ in various rasas. He was skeptical about equivalent words representing the expression, to denote different taste according to the contexts, in the course of translating the text. He further added that the past century was the century of translation. A Russian author once mentioned, “We live in the time of translation that we are compelled to translate even our smiles.” Though the statement perturbed Prof. Tiwari much, one has to accept the fact that translation is inevitable to share the facts or emotions with others. Translations of our literatures are taking a major stride. At this juncture Akademi President V.P. Tiwari presenting the award to we are bound to congratulate the award winning translators– M.L. Thangappa (English) the ambassador of cultures, he concluded. The chief guest Ashokamitran in his address said that he was overwhelmed on hearing the citations of the prize winners while being read out. He could understand the amount of valuable contributions made to Indian languages and literatures by them. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Tamil translation was the bestsellers in Tamil Nadu in 1940’s and also the stories of . For the past 20-30 years, despite many awards for translations were given and the encouragement provided by the institutions like Sahitya Akademi and National Book Trust, he was not sure whether translations are reaching out to people Chandrashekhar Kambar presenting the bouquet to at all. He hoped that such institutions would work hard Shashi Pathania (Dogri) to reach out to more readers even at the remote areas. This kind of efforts would encourage not only the original writers but also the translators as well. Veteran Kannada writer and Vice-President of Akademi, Prof. Kambar, in his concluding speech said, “Linguistic pluralism is the peculiarity of the sub-content. Our language shares common history, common destiny and common future in spite of ‘mutual unintelligibility’. The disastrous situation today is the use of English which is not ours. The use of English in our country is formidable; it would at some juncture swallow all our mother tongues.” Abdul Ahad Hajini (Kashmiri) receiving the award Our languages and literature emerged after the first millennium from Sanskrit in the north and Tamil in the south. The pioneers of early literature had the vision to retain from the predominant culture. Now at the time of globalization, ‘the English is the only option for survival’ is forced upon us. He appealed to the assembled writers, translators and scholars to inculcate love for mother tongues among our children and check the domination of English over our languages. He also proposed the vote of thanks.

Swarna Prabha Chainary (Bodo) receiving the award

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 3 Translators’ Meet inaugurating the Abhivyakti programme In the ‘Translators’ Meet’ held on 24 August, 2013 at Platinum Jubilees Auditorium, , Marina Campus in Chennai, the translators who received the awards shared their experiences as translators. Most Abhivyakti Programme of the translators reflected, through their presentations, their pleasures and pains in undertaking the translation The ‘Abhivyakti’ programme held on 25 August 2013 at works and selection of words in the target languages. Platinum Jubilees Auditorium, University of Madras, Marina An absolute understanding of the words in connotation Campus in Chennai is a regular feature being organized of the original languages is the most essential part by the Akademi, followed by the presentation of Translation and stupendous task for them to give the best of Prizes. More than 50 writers representing 24 languages the translations in the target languages. They are after from all over the country have been invited to read out all translating not only the works but also cultures. from their works. The programme was divided into five The deep involvement and identification with the reading sessions including the inaugural session. There were original works are the most essential aspects of the two sessions devoted to reading of poetry, two for short best translation. The ‘Translators’ Meet’ was chaired stories, one session for the presentation of papers on by Chandrasekhar Kambar, Vice-President of the the topic “Why do I write” by eminent writers. Akademi. In the welcome address by K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, he called the ‘Abhivyakti’ programme a multicultural festival wherein the creative talents of this vast country of many languages converged in one place. It is an occasion of harvest of in prose and poetry and fiction, he called. Krishnaswamy Nachimuthu, Convenor, Tamil Advisory Board, Sahitya Akedmi delivered his introductory address. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari in his presidential address highlighted the fact that our mother tongues are in peril. He called every mother tongue in our country a national language. He referred to a few languages in North-East having no script but being spoken by handful of people. He gave clarion call to the writers in India to protect our mother tongues. The time has come that every Indian has to wake up, or else our grand children would not Anand, Malayalam awardee delivering his speech. be able to read our writings. The literary programme by L-R: Chandrasekhar Kambar and K. Sreenivasarao Sahitya Akademi would reinforce our love for mother

4 DELHI tongues. He further added that now the word has lost its significance and power enjoyed in the ancient times. When the script came the word lost its weight because in ancient time when someone would utter a word they would certainly mean it. Today we demand everything in writing. We lost faith in our words. The best literature will of course regain the power of words, the sound and rhythms, he concluded. The programme was inaugurated by Vairamuthu, an eminent Tamil poet and film lyricist. In his inaugural the message interrogating our democracy. The poem address, he expressed his pleasure over Sahitya Akademi reads as ‘A rain drop fell on a flower, the rain continued arranging the ‘Translation Prize’ presentation function, / A rain drop fell on a church, it continued raining; which was followed by a conglomeration of Indian A rain drop fell on the sea, it continued raining / writers reading in various Indian languages. He further A rain drop fell on a pond, it continued raining /

L-R: Sreenivasarao, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Vairamuthu, Chandrasekhar Kambar and Krishnaswamy Nachimuthu added that it is explicit that the Akademi does the A rain drop fell on my attire, it continued raining job of bringing together different communities, different / A drop fell on the Legislative Assembly, the rain cultures, various experiences and values and integrate stopped’. When one goes through such literature, we them. We could see different cultures and experiences forget the language in which it is written, we remember that have been told differently in different Indian the writer. Language becomes secondary, the experience literatures conjoining in one river called ‘human takes the forefront, Sri Vairamuthu said. experience’. He also quoted Hindi poet Sahitya Akademi functions like a human heart. Just Agarwal. The poem that was read: as ‘I returned back as the heart purifies the blood and passes it from home from the office, I found my wife never cared head to foot of human body, Sahitya Akademi filters to greet me / My children never welcomed me, my good literature from the mediocre ones from all the servant was just minding his work with no notice languages and present them to the people of India of me / I wondered did any of them notice him from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. at all. Then it occurred to me that I have already He quoted a poem “Rain” written by a rebellious lost my physical frame / I tried to turn on the switch poet in Telugu. The poem quite strongly imparted of the radio. I found my hand was not there / I,

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 5 then, looked around. My eyes were not there / I tried to raise me up; I realized I have no legs / When I recollected where I left them all, it struck me that I have left my head in the office; my eyes have not come back from files / L-R: Amritham Surya, Nagathi Halli, Bahchandra Nemade, B. Murali, Nachhatar and Narendra My ears have stuck with telephone’. Finally he felt the ideal way to live one’s life is to shun the body. This was startling (Tamil), Devipriya (Telugu), Sheen Kaaf On 25 August 2013 the ‘Abhivyakti’ irony of the office going middle class Nizam (Urdu) etc. programme continued with four sessions people and their helplessness to Vice-President of the Akademi, with two devoted for reading, compromise with the loses. Chandrasekhar Kambar concluded the another session for a presentation of Literature either renews our ‘Abhivyakti’ programme with his brief writers on the topic “Why do I Write”, experience of the past or present and address. He said Indian languages remain and the last session was ‘Poets’ Meet’ infuses experience that we have not isolated on seeking English to connect wherein thirteen poets from various encountered. In the span of one’s life, them. Despite we managed our freedom Indian languages participated. In the first how many time literature would have from Britishers, we have yet to set our session of short story reading, Sa. given them life; what kind of literature freedom from English. He hoped that Kandasamy chaired the session. In his beneficed or patronized with a life one situation would change in the days to introductory speech Sri Kandasamy has not lived through, the language that come. briefed about the status of the mother has not been heard, the place one has never seen and an experience that one has not underwent. Sri Vairamuthu further said, “Global warming and environment hazards is a serious threat to humanity today”. My grandfather saw water in the river; my father saw water in the pond. I saw water in the well. My son sees water in the bottle. My grandson will see water in the form of tablet. May be a combination of solid hydrogen and oxygen. The inaugural session concluded with the poetry reading by Angshuman Kar (Bengali), Susheel Begana (Dogri), Kamal Vora (Gujarati), Arun Kamal (Hindi), Prathibha Nandakumar(Kannada), Savithri Rajeevan (Malayalam), Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi (Manipuri), Salma L-R: Ajay Swain, Sa Kandasamy, Ravindra Kalia, Amar Nath Jha and Paavannan

6 DELHI L-R: Arundhathi Subramaniam, Sharan Kumar Limbale, , Siva Reddy, Mridula Garg and Bama tongues in India exhorting the fellow (Malayalam), Nachhatar (Punjabi), Dev Charan (Rajasthani), K. Ramakrishna writers to undertake the responsibility Amirtham Surya (Tamil) and M. Warrier (Sanskrit), Yashoda Murmu of promoting their respective languages Narendra (Telugu) read out their stories. (Santali), (Sindhi), to retain the original cultures which is Balchandra Nemade, one of the major Thamizhachi Thangapandiyan (Tamil) and a strong point for the existence of the fiction writers in Marathi presided over M. Sampath Kumar (Telugu). sub-continent. The participants in this the session. He appreciated the thematic The four days programme came to session included Ravindra Kalia (Hindi), diversity of the fiction writers who read an end making a deep impact on the Amar Nath Jha (Maithili), Ajay Swain out their stories in different Indian writers community of India and (Odia), Paavannan (Tamil) and Volga languages. particularly Tamil Nadu. (Telugu) who read out their stories or In the concluding session of ‘Poets’ excerpts from their novels. Meet’, K. Satchidanandan, well-known In the next session on “Why do I Malayalam poet chaired the session. The Write”, veteran Tamil poet and writer poets who read out their poems include Sirpi Balasubramaniam chaired the Anis Uz Zaman (Assamese), Bisweswar session. While appreciating the Akademi Basumatary (Bodo), Tamilselvi (Kannada), to have such session in the programme Aziz Hajini (Kashmiri), Madhav Borcar which expounds the inner self of the (Konkani), Bindya Subba (Nepali), Arjun individual writers on the theme why they choose to be a writer. Speaking about himself, his purpose of being a poet and writer is to somehow or other to perpetuate his purpose of living in the world and to be remembered by the posterity even after his existence. In this session most interesting presentations were made by well-known writers Arundhathi Subramaniam (English), Vinod Joshi (Gujarati), Mridula Garg (Hindi), S. Faustina ‘Bama’ (Tamil), K. Siva Reddyd (Telugu) and Sharan Kumar Limbale (Marathi). In the third session Nagathi Halli Chandrashekhar (Kannada), B. Murali Aziz Hajini, poet in Kashmiri reading his poems

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 7 Fellowship Presentation Functions

Akademi Fellowships were presented to , veteran Sanskrit writer and scholar; Raghuveer Chaudhary, well-known poet and writer in Gujarati and Arjan Hasid, eminent Sindhi poet in different functions organised in Delhi and respectively. Sahitya Akademi Fellowship is the highest honour conferred upon the writers for their total contribution to Indian literature. Honorary Fellowship is awarded to the writers abroad who contribute to the enrichment of Indian literature. The fellowship was established in 1968 and limited to 21 writers at any given time. So far 88 ‘immortals of literature’ were honoured with the Fellowhip.

Fellowship to Satya Vrat Shastri

ahitya Akademi conferred its highest grammarian steeped in the Paninian beaten track (vakrokti as Bhamaha puts Shonour—the Fellowship—upon Prof. system, Prof. Shastri flowered into a it), enlivened by profundity of meaning Satya Vrat Shastri, eminent Sanskrit poet highly talented poet. Poetry to him is and lucidity of expression. and critic. Though trained as a a charming expression distinct from the K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi in his welcome address in Sanskrit enumerated Prof. Sastri’s contribution to the corpus of contemporary . He mentioned in his address that Prof. Shastri has an array of creative writings that include three comprehensive Mahakavyas, four Khandakavyas, two sizable volumes of versified letters, a gadyakavyal diary, and a host of shorter works, refreshing and interesting in their own way. He further stated that Prof. Shastri is equally gifted as a translator who has rendered a number of conspicuous texts into Hindi, English and Sanskrit with admirable precision and authority. Viswanath Prasad Tiwari, veteran L-R: Sreenivasarao, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Satya Vrat Shastri and Chandrashekhar Kambar Hindi poet and the President, Sahitya

8 DELHI Akademi presented Prof. Shastri the while expressing his gratitude to the Fellowship plaque and shawl amidst the Akademi for conferring upon him the cheers of the audience. Sahitya Akademi prestigious Fellowship, stated that the Vice-President, veteran Kannada poet, languages should never be tempered playwright and winner with simplification or experimentation Chandrashekhar Kambar was also in any form affecting the main present during the presentation of the characteristics of the language. Fellowship. At the end of the Fellowship Prof. Tiwari in his Presidential presentation, Prof. Kambar proposed address highlighted a vital point that any the vote of thanks. foreigner who desires to make a real The Fellowship presentation and scholar Satya Vrat Varma, study of India’s deep rooted culture and programme was followed by a Samvad Harekrishna Satpathy, Kamal Anand and tradition, he/she should inevitably possess programme which was chaired by S. Ranganath spoke on the life and the knowledge of Sanskrit. Radhavallabh Tripathi, Convenor, works of Satya Vrat Shastri. Prof. Shastri, in his acceptance speech Sanskrit Advisory Board. Eminent writers

Fellowship to Raghuveer Chaudhary

ahitya Akademi conferred its a human being and as a creative person, Among his plays, the collection of one- SFellowship on Raghuveer Chaudhary, Raghuveer is truthful to his inner act plays were much appreciated and distinguished Gujarati fiction writer, truth. performed on the stage by well-known poet and critic, in Ahmedabad at His faith in the functional aspect of artists. Gujarati Sahitya Parishad on 20 July human life has progressively strengthened K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya 2013. The Fellowship presentation from ‘novel of ideas’ to that of the Akademi welcomed the literary gathering ceremony was followed by a ‘Samvad’ ideas based upon real world. Raghuveer’s and the dignitaries. He informed that programme. Eminent Gujarati short stories portray the uncertainty and this year the Akademi has decided to literatteurs, Chandrakant Topiwala, complexity of human life and relations. confer its Fellowship on Dr. Satya Vrat Ramesh Dave and Satish Vyas spoke, and Sitanshu Yashashchandra, Convenor, Gujarati Advisory Board, chaired the Samvad. Raghuveer started writing poetry, and though it has remained his first love, it is his ability to weave powerful narratives in the genre of novel that brought him name and fame as a leading Gujarati literary figure. It is definitely the poetic element and the use of visual imagery which gave his narratives their unmatched evocative power. ‘ Raghuveer is a writer with deep sensitivity who believes in the co- existence of the spirituality and science, reality and emotions or thinking and sentiments. Raghuveer is a seeker of truth and truth is beauty to him. As Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari presenting the fellowship plaque to Raghuveer Chaudhary

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 9 Srinivasarao read out the citation on At the ‘Samvad’ programme, the Fellow. Sitanshu Yashchandra expressed his Prof. Tiwari in his presidential exceeding joy over the conferment of address reminisced his early meetings Fellowship upon Dr. Choudhury and with Dr. Chaudhary and described how presented a brief account of the merit a writer reacts to his/her reality in various of the works of the writer. situations and expresses meditation in Chandrakant Topivala spoke of Dr. his work in any from he is comfortable Chaudhary as a close friend and a with. Citing the very famous instance significant literatteur in Gujarati, and of Sartre, he said that a good writer’s emphasized on deep social concern presence is kind of a parallel intellectual reflected in Dr. Chaudhary’s works. Shastri of Sanskrit and on Sri Raghuveer government. Ramesh R.Dave spoke of Dr. Chaudhary of Gujarati and Sri Arjan Drishti Patel, daughter of Sri Chaudhary’s fictional works. He Hasid of Sindhi. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri Chaudhary, read out the acceptance emphasized on the writer’s faith in the had already been conferred upon at a speech on Sri Chaudhary’s behalf. In his importance of the day to day reality, grand function held at Sahitya Akademi acceptance delivery, he said that he is and his human empathy. Satish Vyas who on 16 July in . satisfied with his output as a writer. He spoke of Dr. Chaudhary’s plays, After the speech, he requested also expressed his feelings as a farmer, highlighted his active role in contributing Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, President, too. In his address, he spoke about fairly good plays in Gujarati. He Sahitya Akademi to confer the different phases of literature, right from highlighted Sri Chaudhary’s contribution Akademi Fellowship to Dr. Chaudhary. the beginning of his writing career till to drama and cited examples of few Prof. Tiwari offered the plaque of today. He recited excerpts from his writers who were involved in such Fellowship to Sri Chaudhary. Dr. poem in Gujarati. activities.

Fellowship to Arjan Hasid

Sahitya Akademi conferred its Fellowship Akademi welcomed the gathering of the Fellow of Sahitya Akademi, to the on Sri Arjan Hasid, distinguished Sindhi Sindhi litterateurs and the dignitaries on audience as a poet whose poems have fiction poet, in Ahmedabad, on the stage. He introduced Arjan Hasid, left an incredible impact in Sindhi 20 July 2013. Arjan Hasid started writing poetry in 1956 and continues to enthral the hearts and minds of readers with his soulful and mordant poetry. Authored seven collections of poetry, Sri Hasid writes in all forms of poetry but he is well-known for his songs and . A poet par excellence in Sindhi, he is noted for his ghazals. His ghazals do not explain, they simply come out as witness to the present age, moving through time and struggling with destiny. His ghazals present a vivid picture of life based on intimate knowledge. Some of his ghazals are soul stirring, for which he has won many accolades. K. Sreenivasaro, Secretary, Sahitya L-R: K. Sreenivasarao, Vasudev Mohi, Arjan Hasid, V.P. Tiwari and Prem Prakash

10 DELHI literature. He pointed out that Hasid his writings. Hasid’s ghazals depict the has played a pivotal role in developing revolt also and not only love. Sahitya the traditional form of Sindhi . Akademi is honoured in conferring the His poems are progressive which depict Fellowship on Sri Hasid”. the present social scenario, he added. Sri Hasid in his acceptance speech He also pointed out that it is after 40 thanked Sahitya Akademi for conferring years that the Fellowship is conferred the honour on him. on a Sindhi literatteur. Sri Hasid was Prem Prakash, Convenor, Sindhi honoured with Fellowship by Vishwanath Advisory Board described Sri Hasid as Prasad Tiwari, President of Sahitya a simple and yet an effective and perfect Akademi. poet. He is a simple “Ghazalkar” whose Prof. Tiwari in his presidential ghazals describe the agony of the journey of Hasid’s ghazals and his address proclaimed the importance of Partition. sensibility. the Fellowship offered by Sahitya The Fellowship presentation Namdev Tarachandani evaluated Akademi in different languages. He ceremony was followed by a Samvad Hasid as a very lively poet. He said that disparaged the fall of the mother tongues programme. Eminent Sindhi literatteurs Hasid revolutionized the form of ghazal as today’s generation is hardly be able Vasdev Mohi, Namdev Tarachandani which later came to be known as ‘Nai to speak them. He further said, “A writer and Vimmi Sadarangani spoke, and Kavita’ in Sindhi. His poems are for mirrors the society. He visualizes the Prem Prakash, Convenor, Sindhi peace and for social awakening also. things which are ignored by the society Advisory Board chaired the programme. Vimmi Sadarangani spoke on short and places before the society through Vasdev Mohi in his speech traced the stories of Sri Hasid.

Birth Centenary Seminar Balraj Sahani

n the occasion of the birth Talking about the film, which is acclaimed Ocentenary of veteran film actor and as his best performance by film critics, he Punjabi writer Balraj Sahani, Sahitya said that he played the role of an angst ridden Akademi and Punjabi Cultural Art and but a stoic Muslim who refuses to go to Welfare Association, Navi Pakistan during partition. Well-known script organized two day seminar on his and dialogue writer, Jawed Siddqui inaugurated contribution to Indian Cinema and the seminar. He said that Balraj was an actor literature on 28 and 29 September 2013 with the talent for stealing the show and at Navi Mumbai. capturing the maximum applause. Talking M.S. Sethyu, veteran film director, about his passion for stage, he said that money chaired the inaugural session. In his was never his priority as he staged many shows presidential address, he said that Balraj without taking any money from the organizers. Sahani played many challenging roles like Seminar began with a welcome address those of a rickshaw-puller in Do Beegha by K. Sreenivasa Rao, Secretary, Sahitya Zamin and poor farmer in Dharti ke Lal. Akademi. In his welcome address he spoke He not only played these characters but briefly about the early life of Balraj when lived them in real life by pulling rickshaw he left Rawalpindi to join Santiniketan as an on the roads of and staying English teacher, and then joined Mahatma among farmers for many days. His last Gandhi and later he went to London to join film Garam Hawa was directed by him. BBC, London’s Hindi service.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 11 Rawail Singh, Convenor, Punjabi Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi in his introductory address talked about Sahni’s contribution to as well as Hindi Cinema. Well-known Punjabi poet, in his key-note address said that on Tegore’s suggestion he started writing in Punjabi and enriched Punjabi literature with more than 10 books. He also talked about his legendary Hindi film career with special mention to national award winning Punjabi film Satluj de Kande. The seminar was divided into three sessions. Jagbir Singh chaired the first session on “ and Indian Cinema”. Well-known Punjabi writer and film maker Amrik Gill discussed in detail L-R: Rawail Singh, Surjit Patar, M.S. Sethyu, Jawed Siddqui and K. Sreenivasarao Sahni’s contribution to Indian cinema. Manmohan Singh spoke on the life and Grewal spoke on Indo-Pak cultural his book Yaadan da jharokha. Deepak experiences of Balraj Sahni as mentioned relations with special reference to Balraj’s Manmohan Singh in his presidential in his autobiography Meri Mera Pakistani Safarnama; and Jaspal address said that Balraj was a gifted Aatmakatha. Anees Azmi, Secretary, Urdu Kaang presented a critical appraisal of writer who became a writer of repute Academy in his paper on “IPTA and Balraj’s Mera Roosi Safarnama in context in Punjabi literature. Balraj Sahni” said that Balraj Sahni started of Indo-Russian relations. She said that The last session was chaired by H.S. his acting career with the plays of Indian he had written the book after a tour Gill. Satish Kumar Verma spoke on the People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). And of the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1969, literary and cinematic outlook of Balraj throughout his life he spared time for and received ‘Soviet-Land Nehru Award’ Sahni. Rashpinder Rashim presented her theatre. for this book. Amarjeet Ghumman paper on “Gair Jazbati Diary” and Sunita Deepak Manmohan Singh chaired discussed in detail the poetry of Balraj Dhir presented on “Punjabi Theatre and the second session on “Balraj Sahni and with reference to the poems of Waitor Balraj Sahni.” Punjabi Sahitya”. In this session, Amarik di waar and Raminder Kaur talked about

Through My Window Vishwanath Prasad Tripathi on Aacharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi Vishwanath Prasad Tripathi, well-known critic and novelist, expressed his views on his mentor Aacharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, eminent Hindi writer under the programme series ‘Through My Window’ held on 6 September 2013 at Rabindra Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. He spoke about Dwivedi’s life in detail. Sri Dwivedi was not connected to any kind of ‘vad’, he informed the audience. Dr. Tripathy cited a few examples of some characters from his novels. His characters tried to relive the lost values. Dwivedi’s deep love for poetry was also highlighted by him. In the end, he answered the queries of the audience. A number of people attended the programme including Nityanad Tiwary, Biren Baranwal, Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Prayag Shukla and others.

12 DELHI A Reading Programme Ramanika Gupta

Well-Known Hindi poet Ramanika Gupta was invited by the Akademi to read out her poems at Rabindra Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi on 26 September 2013. Brijendra Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi welcomed the poet and audience. He briefly presented the contemporary scenario of L-R: K. Sreenivasarao, Chandrasekhar Kambar and H.S. Shivaprakash Hindi poetry especially by women poets writing today and introduced the poet to the audience. Smt. Gupta was born Kavisandhi H.S Shivaprakash in 1930 in Punjab. She writes in almost all genres viz. poetry, short stories, A ‘Kavisandhi’ programme with H.S victims of the rotating wheels”. autobiography and translation. Smt. Shivaprakash, veteran poet and playwright The second poem, he read, was a Gupta is working in Chota Nagpur in Kannada was organised on 23 prose poem. The poet started writing among the tribes and dalits. She represents September 2013 at Rabindra Bhawan, the prose poems under the influence of the cause of such oppressed communities Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. French poets. The prose poem entitled and labour class people. Her writing K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya “Festival of Kites” is not only the poet’s deals with problems faced by the Akademi formally introduced the poet reminiscence of kite flying in his boyhood common people, women and adivasis to the audience. He is presently on Indian days. It is also a scathing attack on the at the grass root. Government’s assignment in Germany elders using their children on their will as Counsellor at the Indian Embassy and as wanton boys to make them cut the Director, Tagore Centre, Berlin. weaker threads of the kites flown by The first poem he read was written their peers. in 1976 when he was 12 years old. The The next poem was a symbolic poem is a part of a legend of young poem warning his son to be careful Milerepa, a famous poet and yogi of while he was treading on the road full who spent many years as a student of melting tar, glass pieces and clumsy of great Buddhist yogi Marpa Lotsawa. building materials and broken bangles. He returned back home to see his parents He also read out a few more of his dead, sister gone mad and his house recent poems written in the meter of in shambles. He was endowed with Kannada and Marathi folk poetry. Smt. Gupta read out from her some psychic power to revive and restore Sahitya Akademi’s Vice-President, writings and enthralled the audience with the past situation. The poem is a powerful veteran poet and playwright in Kannada, her experience of writing and working depiction of the present and past life Chandrasekhar Kambar who was present with common people and adivasis. of Milerepa. The fallen house with moth in the programme said that while they Recipent of several awards and eaten pillars is the present signs of his both write in Kannada, Shivaprakash honours, for her contributions to literature home. His memories of childhood and entered the world of Kannada poetry and society, that include Mahatama Joti generations were buried beneath the after sometime when Kannada poetry Phule award, Ambedkar award, M.P anonymity of time. The young poet’s was lost in universalism in accordance Dalit Sahitya Academy Award etc., she positive energy and resolution are with the Euro-centric trend. He tried is well-known for more than two reflected in the poem when he says “Yes to reinvent the energies of invoking the decades in the field of literature and Milerapa, being back the olden days. rich folk and bhakti tradition of Kannada social service. Why should I make my parents be literature.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 13 Writers’ Delegation to

Indian writers’ delegation visited Thailand under Cultural Exchange Programme from 7 to 15 July 2013. The delegation consisted of Indian writers that included Harekrishna Satapathy, eminent Sanskrit scholar and poet; Arjun Deo Charan, eminent Rajasthani playwright; Rita Shukla, eminent Hindi fiction writers and Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi as the Coordinator of the team. The delegation met writers in Thailand and exchanged views. They also participated in some literary programmes organized by the Thailand Writers’ Associations and the Government of Thailand. A Poetry Evening Margaret Mascarenhas

An evening of English poetry was held on 19 August 2013 in the Sahitya Akademi auditorium, where Margaret Mascarenhas read out from her collections of poems Triage Casualties of Love and Sex. Gitanjali Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi introduced the poet to the audience. Margaret Mascarenhas is a multi-lingual writer, consulting editor and independent curator from Indo-American origin with a background in comparative literature at UC Berkeley. She received her training in Indian Art from art historian Dr. with whom she worked as an assistant editor for several years at Marg, and subsequently as a consulting editor. She is the author of the diasporic novel Skin (Penguin India 2001). Her second novel The Disappearance of Irene Dos Sanatos (Hachette USA 2009) is set in Venezuela where she grew up. She is currently the Founder and Director of the Blue Shores Prison Art-Project at the Central Jail, Aguada in Goa where she teaches a four year curriculum of poetry performance art and visual art. She explores the relationships of image movement and text and the ways in which they function independently and interrelatedly in the creative process to express and/or elicit emotion. She has been writing poetry and sketching for over 20 years. Triage- Casualties of Love and Sex (Harper Collins India 2013), is her first published collection of poetry. Chairing the session was K. Satchidanandan who spoke elaborately on her poetry before she began her reading. The programme was followed by a lively interactive session with audience.

14 DELHI Writers’ Delegation from Croatia

L-R: Srecko Horvat, Sreenivasarao, K. Satchidanandan and Nikola Petkovic

hree member writers’ delegation Croatia who produced extremely seeking a job there and then went to Tvisited India under the aegis of significant works, much relevant to our Africa. At last she found a job in India Cultural Exchange Programme by the time. in Surat, Gujarat. His book mostly dealt Ministry of Culture, Government of The first writer, Ms. Cacinovic read with the crisis in Europe in the economic India and Government of Croatia. The out a poem. The poem was about her and political context, he said. team of delegation consisted of friend in Czechoslovakia who died of In the interaction, at the end, many Cacinovic, President of PEN Croatia cancer. A heart rendering verses, the points came up and discussed like the and professor of philosophy at Zagrob poem concluded with the lines: current political situations, writers’ University; Nikola Petkovic, writer, literary Sing with me. associations, the idea of Indian literature critic, translator, screen-writer and scholar, You are used to elsewhere, in the minds of Croatian people or teaching at the University of Rijeka and No Spanish in your lips, emergence of any new Pan-Slavic Srecko Horvat, philosopher and writer Thinking of you, ideologies in literature. visited Sahitya Akademi on 17 September Thinking of time to melt us. On the scenarios of the 2013. Mr. Nikola Petkovic read out an contemporary Croatian writing, the guest A literary meet of Croatian writers essay. It is a kind of mediation on the writers said that their literature is with Indian writers was arranged in the great French poet Malarme and it is traditional and realistic inspired by new evening on 17 September 2013 at about the metaphor of books dealing media. Repetitive expressions hardly find Rabindra Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi, New with the idea of reading and writing. a place in their contemporary writings. Delhi. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Mr. Srecko Horvat spoke about his There are several wonderful poets in Akademi while welcoming the writers’ book, What does not Europe Want. He their languages, which make their delegation called that cultural exchange called India a most developing country languages new with imaginative among the countries through literature like . He dealt with the economic innovations. There are only a few and other arts is the culmination of and political crises in Europe. Croatia translation of Indian literature available human mind and a great endeavour of with six million populations recently in their languages. Mostly, Indian studies maturity among nations. joined the European Union. There has are being done through English K. Sachidanandan, eminent been a great unemployment problem translation by the Croations. Cultural Malayalam poet, critic and scholar who and financial crisis in Europe. He quoted Exchange ended with a positive note introduced the guest writers said the some insitances. His sister, a German to bring out more books in translations, writers were the finest intellectuals from teacher, who travelled to Kathmandu in Croatian and Indian languages.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 15 Prem Kumar, Seema Sagheer and Symposium on Shahryar Sarwarul Hoda presented their papers in the first session. The second session was presided over by Aqeel Ahmad “Shahryar is an that his association with Shahryar spanned Sidiqui, and Ajay Bisariya, A.R. Fatihi epitome of excellence over four decades and his work will and Mirza Shafeeq Hussuain in and keep resounding his greatness for the Shafaq highlighted various aspects of his creations would ages. He said that besides being a poet Shahryar’s creative world and amenable serve as a guide to the of eminence, Shahryar was also a great traits of his personality. young poets and human being. The day-long symposium came to wield influence for Delivering the presidential address, a close with a poetry reading session, generations to come”, Shafey Kidwai, Chairman, Department in the memory of Shaharyar, presided remarked Zameer Uddin Shah, Vice of Mass Communication, AMU said over by Chandra Bhan Khayal and Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University that Shahryar had expertise in expressing Saeeduz Zafar Chughtai. Well-known (AMU), while delivering the inaugural his feelings with great precision. Shahryar poets Jamuna Prasad Rahi, Mehtab address at the Symposium on ‘Shahryar’s succeeded in portraying common human Haider Naqvi, Raeesuddin Raees and Life and Works’ organized on 26 August sentiments and that is why his poetry Rashid Anwar Rashid recited their 2013 by Sahitya Akademi, Delhi at the strikes a chord with the masses, he poems. Arts Faculty, AMU. added.

Gen. Shah said that Shahryar was Khursheed Ahmad, former an alumnus of this University and served Chairman of Department of Urdu as a teacher for more than two decades. elaborated on the various attributes of He not only achieved distinction of Shahryar’s poetry. He said that Shahryar being a Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi and Akhta-rul Iman took Urdu Nazm Award winner but also brought laurels to new heights. According to him, by penning popular songs for Indian Shahryar was a friendly person and cinema. He acknowledged the fact that always held friendship on top. Abul Shahryar dedicated all his life to promote Kalam Qasmi said that Shahryar’s poetry Kavisandhi Urdu language. is endowed with creative potential. Madan Mohan Soren Chandra Bhan Khayal, Convenor of Mushtaq Sadaf, Programme Officer Urdu Advisory Board of Sahitya of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi Sahitya Akademi organised a Akademi, in his introductory speech said conducted the programme. Ghazanfar, ‘Kavisandhi’ programme with eminent Santali poet Madan Mohan Soren on 1 September 2013 at Chakulia. N.C. Mahesh, Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi welcomed him and gave a brief introduction. He recited his poems, titled “Gadabali”, “Situng”, “Jaapud” and “Dularia”. His poem depicted the pain and sorrow of Santali society. There was an appeal for brotherhood in his poems. Poems were much appreciated by the audience.

L-R: Chandra Bhan Khayal, Zameer Uddin Shah, Abul Kalam Qasmi, Khursheed Ahmad

16 DELHI Symposium Miraji: Literature and Thought

Santali Rachnapath On 9 September his opinion that much research was 2013, Sahitya done on this powerful poet. He judged Sahitya Akademi organised a ‘Santali Akademi organized Meeraji as a ‘total poet’ assimilating Rachnapath’ programme at Asha a symposium at ‘Indianism’ completely. He informed the Auditorium, J.C. High School, Ghatshila, its Kolkata office audience about the presence and impact Jharkhand on 31 August 2013. auditorium on the of surrealism in Meeraji’s poetry along Programme was inaugurated by renowned Urdu poet with its lyrical appeal. In his presidential Sobhanath Beshra, well-known Santali Meeraji. It was address, Chandra Bhan Khayal said, writer, while the chief guest was the attended by a host of Urdu poets and “Meeraji was an extraordinary poet who first Akademi award-winner in Santali literary stalwarts. The seminar began led an extraordinary life.” Though Meeraji language, Jadumani Besra. Inaugural with the welcome address by Mihir died at a premature age of 37, his session was chaired by Gangadhar Kumar Sahoo, Programme Officer, contribution to Urdu poetry is significant Hansda, Convenor, Santali Advisory Sahitya Akademi. and relevant even today”. Board of Sahitya Akademi. Fagu Soren Shafey Kidwai, in his keynote The first session was presided over was invited as the guest of honour of address, focused on the bohemian life by Nizzam Siddhiki which included the occasion. style of Meeraji and said about the presentations by Asim Shahnawaz Shivli Inaugurating the programme, distinctive characteristics of his writings. and Shamin Anwar. Sri Shibli compared Sobhanath Beshra said that our society Referring to some of his celebrated Meeraji with another celebrated Urdu should encourage Santali literature. works such as Samundar ka bulawa or poet Mir while Sri Anwar attracted the Jadumai Besra and other speakers also Nagari Nagari Phira Musafir he stated that audience’s attention on the impact of expressed their views. N. C. Mahesh, Meeraji is considered to be one of the theories of Dadaism, Cubism and Officer on Special Duty, Sahitya Akademi pioneers of symbolism in Urdu poetry Imperialism in Meeraji’s poetry. welcomed the gathering and Fudan who introduced free verse, run-on-lines The post-lunch session was presided Chandra Soren proposed a vote of and blank verse rejecting the conventional over by F.S Ejaz accompanied by three thanks at the end of the inaugural session. form. Inspired deeply by French poetry, speakers on stage. Abuzar Hashmi, First and third sessions of the Meeraji had acknowledged his debt to Ashfakh Ahmad Arfi and Ajay Malwi programme were dedicated for poetry Baudelaire. He also translated a lot of read their papers, highlighting Meeraji’s reading, while short stories were read foreign works into Urdu. psyche, even referring to a possibility in the second session. Benudhar Tudu, After a strong and informative of the presence of split personality in Bapuram Besra and Khelaram Murmu presentation by Dr. Kidwai, the guest him. The programme ended with a vote and Saridharam Hansda read out their of honour Khalil Mamoon expressed of thanks. poems in the first session, which was presided over by Saridharam Hansda. Niranjan Hansda chaired the second session. T. C. Baskey, Dijapada Hansda, Baliswar Soren and Sirip Chandra Soren read out their short stories. Third session was presided over by Sailajananda Hansda. Vijay Kumar Murmu, Sunil Baran Murmu, Harinath Murmu, Bishnu Kumar Murmu, Lakhan Besra and Siba Sankar Soren recited their poems in this session. The presented poems and stories dealt with the day to day tribal problems. L-R: Khalil Mamoon, Chandra Bhan Khayal and Shafey Kidwai

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 17 Young Writers’ Meet From North-East and Eastern India

orth-East and Eastern young writers’ the writers. Describing literature as a parallel Nmeet, ‘Purbotttari’ organized by Sahitya document to history of civilization, he said Akademi, Delhi was inaugurated by Pratibha that young writers today face a lot of questions. Ray, eminent Odia writer and Jnanpith Awardee Communal disharmony, anger, frustration, at hotel Swosti Premium, Bhubaneswar. Thirty fanaticism and are causing a eight young writers from North-East and lot of restlessness in the society. He hoped, Eastern India joined to share and showcase “At this crucial moment, the test of a writer their creative endeavour in the literary event. lies not just in giving a portrait of the situation, In her inaugural speech, but in lighting a candle of hope”. Secretary, described the vastness of literature. She said, Sahitya Akademi, K Sreenivasrao delivered the “Language is regional, but when language welcome address. He told that Sahitya Akademi turns into literature, it becomes universal. A is the only institution to undertake literary literature is beyond language, region, religion programmes in 24 Indian languages. He and gender”. Pointing at Sahitya Akademi, she welcomed everybody to celebrate the joy of told that it is a democratic body, where every literature. writer can put his/her creativity. Convenor Bengali poet Saubhik De Sarkar, Bodo of Sahitya Akademi, Odia Advisory Board, poet Rujab Muchahary, Manipuri poet Gourahari Das in his introductory speech gave Haobam Nalini, Nepali poet Kamal Regmi, a beautiful picture of the North-East and North-East poet Pankaj Banik and Odia poet Eastern parts of India. Discussing the uniqueness Gayatibata Panda and Sitansu Lenka recited and commonness of the river Bramhaputra, their poems both in their regional languages he said that nature has always been an unfailing and English translations. Noted columnist Hara and inexhaustible source of inspiration to Prasad Dash’s poetry collection, Shiva in

One of the sessions in the Writers’ Meet

18 DELHI Manhattan was released during this occasion. The first session devoted to short Play Reading by Prabhakar Shotriya story reading was chaired by Karabi Deka Hazarika, convenor of atha Sandhi programme Sahitya Akademi. While Assamese writer Kwith Prabhakar Shotriya Monika Devee read out her story “The an eminent Hindi writer, Igloo”, Bengali writer, Binod Ghosal critic, playwright and former presented a great short and crispy story editor of Samkaleen Bhartiya Sahitya was organized on 27 about the impact of ‘SMS’ on youth July 2013. K. Sreenivasarao, of today. Also Bodo writer, Sansumai Secretary, Sahitya Akademi Khugri Basumatari presented his story welcomed the guest and “Katha Gire Samsane” and Odia writer audience. Secretary expressed Srustishree Naik presented a heart his happiness over reviving touching short story, “Mohini”. Akademi’s the play-reading programme programme Officer Mihir Sahoo series by the Akademi. delivered the vote of thanks. The epic-drama he read out before the audience was enacted in The second session of poetry reading various parts of India and has been translated into various languages. was presided over by Hara Parasad There was an interactive session after his reading. Prof. Shotriya who published Dash. He emphasized, if somebody more than 50 books is also a fine essayist and scholar who taught Hindi wants to understand a poem, then s/ in the University level. he must listen to the style of recitation first. Language is the second thing to understand poetry. Bengali poet Mitul Dutta, Bodo poet Shanti Basumatary, Sujit Kumar Panda read out their was chaired by . He Manipuri poet A Kritimala Singh, stories. emphasized that writers should identify Nepali poet Rajendra Pasha, Odia Bikram Keshari Das presided over themselves as Indians. He also felt sorry poet Saroj Bal and North-East poets the fourth session, ‘Why do I write’. about the regional and linguistical Suranjan Kundu Chaudhuri and Crystal Prof. Das told that there is an unborn boundaries in literature. Bengali poet Cornelious D Marak recited their story within a writer waiting to be born. Souradip Adak, Bodo poet Dhirju Jyoti poems. That is why a writer writes. He also Basumataray, Manipuri poet Sunolata Many interesting stories and added that a writer is not just an Yengkhom, Nepali poet Manoj Bogati, melodious poems reflecting the life style individual, s/he is a complex personality North-East poet Requoma Rq Laloo of North-East and Eastern parts of of many impulses. He also compared and Odia poets Deepsha Rath and Akhila India was felt in this literary festival. The writers with instruments who can only Naik recited their poems. Mihir Sahoo second day of the occasion started with reflect the rhythm of society. Assamese proposed the vote of thanks. the third session on short story reading. writer Arindam Borkataki, Bengali writer It was chaired by Paramita Satpathy. Smt Soma Bandopadhyay, English writer Rajat Satpathy said that stories enjoy greatest Chaudhury, Manipuri writer Naorem freedom of expression. She also Ahanjao Meitei and Odia writer Debasish emphasized that it is not necessary for Samantarary shared their experience of a writer to draw the conclusion every writing. Answering interesting questions, time. Stories can be open ended too. many writers emphasized upon the Assamese writer Pranjit Bora, Bengali inspiration of nature for their writing, writer Sadique Hossain, Bodo writer others reiterated that writing is the only Diganta Lawary, Manipuri writer thing that they can do. Ranjita Konthoujam and Odia writer The last session on poetry reading

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 19 Festival of Kabir

two day programme of ‘Kabir Utsav’ was Aorganized by Sahitya Akademi on 3 and 4 August 2013 in collaboration with Manviya Mulya Anusheelan Kendra, Kashi Hindu University, . Purshottam Aaggarwal, well-known critic in his key-note address expressed, “To call Kabir a voice of edge is a result to view Indian literature from a perspective of colonialism. Kabir’s voice is a poetry from heart of a sensitive human being”. Further he explained that ‘bhakti’ poets including Kabir set a different social value. Delivering the introductory address, Convenor of Purushottam Agarwal and Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari Hindi Advisory Board, Surya Prasad Dixit said that Kabir and Tulsi portrayed the life and also the interests day was “Kabir in Scholarly World”. Awdesh Prasad of common man. The session was presided over by presided over the session and Ajay Verma, Rajender Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, President of Sahitya Prasad Pandey and Rakesh Kumar Mittal presented Akademi. their papers. Common idea emerged among the paper The first session focused on “Kabir in Loka” was readers that there is a need to understand the poetics presided over by Surya Prasad Dixit. In this session, of Kabir in the light of otherwise he Neerja Madhav, Gautam Chatterjee and Prakash Uday would simply be understood as a ‘Bhakti Kavi’. In presented their papers. In the evening a ‘Poets’ Meet’ the third session Balram Pandey, Arunesh Neeran and was organised. Gyanendrapati, eminent Hindi poet Uday Pratap Singh presented their papers. The session chaired the Meet. Goshthi Ashtbhuja Shukla, Aashish “Kabir in Behddi Maidan” was presided over by Tripathi, Vashishtha Anup, Om Nischal, Daanish, Ramvachan Rai . Janardan Prasad Pandey, Arunabh Saurabh and Paramjeet The programme concluded with the presentation Singh recited their poems. of songs by Bharu Singh Chauhan at Pandit Onkarnath The subject of the second session of the next Thakur Auditorium, , Varanasi.

L-R: Paramveer Singh, Gyenendrapati, Ashtabhuja Shukla and Brajendra Tripathi

20 DELHI ‘Literary Forum’ was organized on invokes humility as it is an endless poems in original, Italian and H.S. A18 September 2013 at Rabindra value. Shivaprakash, Kannada poet and Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi The next poet Annelisa Addolorato playwright read out the English wherein two young poets of Italian is a well-known Italian and Spanish poet translation. She read out the poems, origin were invited to read out their and writer who published two of her “Snows and Sands,” “A Frozen Shadow,” poems before selected “Sediments of the audience. The first poet Antics,” “Flying Zingonia Zingone, though Literary Forum Daggers,” etc. born in Italy, was brought The poets had up in Costa Rica in Central Italian and Spanish Writers a discussion with America where Spanish is the audience after the spoken language. She the reading session. grew up with three The poets languages Italian, English expressed that they and Spanish. She started did not subscribe writing poetry in English to any idelogical in her childhood and then influence as they moved to Italian and then always worked on switched over to Spanish. their intuition. Her real heart beat is in They are the Spanish. She is writing in mixture of Spanish for last 15 years. cultures by virtue She calls Spanish is the of their birth mother tongue of her and brought poetry. She is a well-known up. They were translator of these three also exposed languages. Zingonia read Zingonia Zingone and Annelisa Addolorato to French, out five of her poems English, American in English translations and two in collections of poetry both in Italian and literatures and also literatures of Asia. original Spanish. Her poem entitled Spanish. She was inspired by Octavia According to Zingonia, “poetry speaks “Roots” conveyed a message that Paz, Clara James and other Latin about wounds, through those wounds regardless of roots, we all belong to American writers. Her works have been we get us to light”. She saw her books one tree. The second poem was about translated into many European languages. as the books of hope. The porgramme consequences of our action that The poet read out a few of her short ended with a vote of thanks.

Meet the Author Aacharya Reva Prasad Dwivedi

Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi organized ‘Meet the Author’ programme on Aacharya Reva Prasad Dwivedi, a Sanskrit writer and scholar at Senate Hall, Kashi Hindu University, Varanasi. In his detailed speech Prof. Dwivedi refuted those beliefs that are prevalent in literature for years with regard to rasa in poetry. Prof. Dwivedi also established that literatures written in different languages cannot be considered literature differently as literature is one, he said.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 21 Symposium on Children’s Literature Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Punjabi Sath, Mohali organized a symposium on ‘Children’s Literature in Punjabi’ on 11 August 2013 at Shivalik School, Mohali, Punjab. Inaugurating the symposium, Rawail Singh, Convenor, Punjabi Advisory Board discussed in detail the present scenario of Vanita, Subash Shamaji and Suman Kiran children’s literature in Punjabi. He emphasized that one who is writing for children should be aware of child psychology and Nari Chetna in the present era of information technology and electronic media, he/she should be more careful while writing for children. He Nari Chetna programme with three women writers said that though there are number of writers writing for children was held at Rabindra Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi, in Punjabi, our celebrated writers never tried this genre. New Delhi on 6 August 2013. Earlier welcoming the audience, Manjeet Bhatia, Publication Subash Shamaji short story writer in English, Assistant, Sahitya Akademi elaborated the efforts made by Sahitya Suman, poet, fiction writer and critic in Hindi Akademi in promoting children literature in 24 Indian languages. and Vanita poet, critic and translator in Punjabi Delivering the keynote address, eminent scholar Manmohan participated in the programme and read out from said, “Children literatuers are more respected in Western countries their works before the audience. than in India”. He also said, “He does not have to write to Subhash Shamaji is a talented fiction writer educate the children but to make them a good and responsible having a brilliant career. Soon after her IAS, she citizen”. served more than a decade in the tribal areas Eminent children’s literature writers Manmohan Singh Dau of southern where she endeavoured for and Darshan Singh Asht, both Sahitya Akademi children’s literature a social change by empowering women and also award winners, and Sarbjeet Bedi shared their experience and addressing complex issues concerning left wing spoke on different aspects of children’s literature in Punjabi. extremism. She has a collection of short stories A number of scholars, who attended the programme, took entitled Fly on the Wall. part in the discussion on papers. Symposium was chaired by The next poet, who read out her poems, was Deepak Manmohan Singh and Jaspal Kang. Amarjit Ghumman Suman Kiran, a well-known young writer in Hindi proposed a vote of thanks. and a brilliant translator. Many of her contributions have been published in various literary journals. A post-graduate from JNU and an MBA from Western , Suman is doing her D.Litt from Mahatma Gandhi Katri Vidyapeet. The concluding presentation was a poetry recitation by Vanita, eminent Punjabi poet. Vanita has about 40 publications to her credit and contributed many articles in leading literary journals. Recepient of , Sahitya Akademi Prize for translation, Bhasha Bharati Samman etc., Dr. Vanita is teaching Punjabi at .

L-R: Manmohan, Rawail Singh, Manmohan Singh Dau and others

22 DELHI Literary Forum A.J. Thomas

A ‘Literary poem “Being” reflected his feeling of Forum’ separation from his own world and a programme sense of loneliness he underwent in an of poetry alien land. The lines “Smugly detached reading by from the ballasting past,” well-expressed Asmita A.J. Thomas, his sudden displacement and the line well-known “The mirage smile of the future” Santali Writers reflected the futility of the compulsion poet, fiction of his displacement. He read about 16 ahitya Akademi organised an writer, veteran poems and among them were a few S‘Asmita’ programme with Santali translator and short poems. His poem “Dhanushkodi” women writers on 1 September former editor is a realistic portrayal of the ravages of 2013 at Chakulia. The programme of Indian Literature, Sahitya Akademi’s the island destroyed by a cyclone in was chaired by Shobha Hansda. N. literary journal in English was organised 1964. The poem “Nagalkot-Sarangkot: C. Mahesh, Officer on Special Duty on 29 August 2013. Starting his literary , August 12” is a penportrait of (Programme), Sahitya Akademi journey as an Indian English writer and the places in the divine land of Nepal. welcomed the guests and audience. occasionally in Malayalam at the late “Great Land Sea” and “Desert Storm” Shakuntala Tudu, Supriya Hansda, twenties, Dr. Thomas regularly publishes recaptured scenes of Libya, as pictures Rukmini Tutu and Swapna poetry, fiction, translations, book reviews with stray eucalyptus of the desert shrubs Hembram recited their poems at the and features on literary and cultural of lesser plants with irresolute stunted programme. matters in journals, magazines and trees etc. The poet quite often compared Shakuntala Tudu recited her websites in India and abroad. shrubs to the thriving human spirit. poem, “Baha Parayani” in which she Introductory speech was delivered Readers could hear the whisper, murmur, inspired women for their by K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya mumble, shriek and mischief of the contribution to the society. Supriya Akademi. He introduced Dr. Thomas whirl wind of the deserts from his Hansda expressed the desire of a as a creative writer par excellence who poetry. woman in her poem that she wants grew strong in his translations of various freedom for a caged bird. genres of into The poem “Empire of Solitude,” Rukmini Tudu appealed youth, English. He described him as a poet evoked an unbound empathy for the in her poem, to come forward for and translator of dexterity and lone poet who was half the world away the development of their language. genuineness. from home and who did not have cell- Swapna Hembram recited her poem, Before reading his poems, Dr. phone to call even on the Christmas “Dharanj Juge”. In her poem she Thomas expressed his gratitude for the Day. Genuine expression and the amazing also stressed on the development of warmth that Sahitya Akademi bestows imageries of the poet enthralled the the language. Shobha Hansda upon him whenever he is back in India audience. expressed happiness over the and said that the poems he would read In an interactive session, the questions presentations after summing up the out were his recent compositions not ranging from what made him to pen readings. yet published. poetry, his reaction over the revolutions Most of the poems he read out and his deviation as an Indian English were deep reflections of the past with poet from Malayalam literary tradition a sense of ‘capped emotions.’ The first were discussed at length.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 23 Asmita Santali Women Writers

n ‘Asmita’ programme was organised Aby Sahitya Akademi at Town Hall, Rairangpur, West on 28 September 2013 with young Santali writers. The programme was presided over by Joba Murmu, well-known Santali women writer, while the guest of honour of the occasion was Gangadhar Hansda, Convenor, Santali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. N. C. Mahesh, Officer on Special Duty (Programme), Sahitya Akademi welcomed the guests. Joba Murmu, in her presidential speech while emphassing the role of women said, “Though the contribution of women writers is less than male writers yet their effort is An array of Santali poet participants equivalent to that of the male writers in the to give her food and safety. Sili Hansdah presented her poem “Sawauta field of Santali literature. A woman distributes Chitar Alem” based on the condition of the society in the past and the love, will-power and sanctity to make the present. The poems “Seday Yus” and “Aam Banam” were also related society advanced and throws light on the path to Santali culture. of wisdom”. Sarada Marandi read out “Haudi Parua Arsong” and showed how As the first participants, Sarika Soren read ‘handia‘ is destroying our society. The poem “Abra” presented a nice out a short story “Parsi” which presented a picture about how a destructive boy is punished for his wicked action. real picture of a Santali family. In this story The poem “Chekate Ing Nawa Harate” also based on the education she tried to portray a picture of a son and and literature of the Santali people. his wife who were highly educated in English Gangadhar Hansda presented his views on the poems and short story medium schools, but they fail to learn their presented in the programme. own mother tongue. As a result his parents were disheartened at the behaviour and attitude of his son and his wife. Later on, the son and his wife realised their mistakes and learn Through my Window ‘Ol Chiki’ which helped them to bind intimate relationship with the community. Amarnath Jha spoke on Harimohan Jha Jaleswari Hansdah, read out her poem “Santali Pathua” in which she emphasised on Sahitya Akademi organised a ‘Through My Window’ programme with the importance of education. Her second Amarnath Jha in collaboration with Antarrashtriya Maithili Parishad poem “Bairy” presented a harsh picture of on 29 September 2013 at Chimanlal Bhalotia Auditorium, Jamshedpur. society in which envy and jealously destroy Amarnath Jha, noted Maithili writer spoke on the renowned Maithili our society. “Bhandan”, her next poem, writher Harimohan Jha. He expressed his views on the works of reflected the tranditional system of the society. Harimohan Jha, specially on his famous book Khattar Kaka. This book Singa Murmu, another young poet gave contains satire on Hindu orthodox religion and culture. Each satire a picture of the differences of a boy and deals with an ancient text like the , the , puranas a girl in the society through her poem “Kuli etc. It is a dialogue between the writer and a fictional character Khattar Hapan”. Her next poem, “Sashan Cheta” gave Kaka. He also talked about Harimohan’s life and influence of him a beautiful picture of a new-born bird who on contemporary Maithili writers and society. waited for her mother to return to the nest

24 DELHI Kavisandhi Jadumani Besra

A ‘Kavisandhi’ programme was organised at Town Hall, Rairangpur, on 28 September 2013 with

L-R: Ashok Avichal, R.K. Chaudhary, Bina Thakur, Jay Kumar, eminent Santali Girijanana Jha ‘Arddhanarishwar’ and Dilip Jha poet Jadumani Besra. N. C. Mahesh, OSDP, Sahitya Akademi welcomed him and gave Symposium a brief introduction. First Sahitya Akademi award- Children’s Literature in Maithili winner in , Jadumani Besra read out his eight poems which Sahitya Akademi organised a one-day symposium on ‘Children’s Literature were highly acclaimed by the audience. in Maithili’ in collaboration with Antarrashtriya Maithili Parishad on 29 His first poem, “Okarem Taker September 2013 at Chimanlal Bhalotia Auditorium, Jamshedpur. Kanaho Jaduram” described Jaduram Symposium was inaugurated by S.N. Thaku, Chairman, ASEA, as an engineer who suffered and Jamshedpur. The inaugural session was chaired by Brajkishore Mishra, helped the people who were directly while keynote address was given by Bhagwan Chaudhary. Bina Thakur, affected due to industrialization. Convenor, Maithili Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi gave her introductory Jaduram rendering justice to the speech. At the beginning N.C. Mahesh, OSDP, Sahitya Akademi welcomed people was glorified in the poem. the participants and audience. The poem “Bechara Bikram” First session was chaired by Vivekanand Thakur. Ravindra Kumar protrays a life of a tribal daily wager Chaudhary, Shivkumar ‘Tillu’ and Panchanan Mishra presented their who is misunderstood by the CRPF papers in this session on the topics “State and Direction of Children Jawans as a terrorist and shot him Literature in Maithili”, “Origin and Development of Children Literature dead. “Indunj Udauh Kana” implies in Maithili” and “Language and Craft of Children Literature” respectively. the dreams of a small boy who tried Ajay Kumar Ray also presented his views in this session. to fly like a bird in his childhood Second session was chaired by Shanti Suman, veteran Maithili poet. and in his later life he became educated Aruna Jha, Siyaram Jha ‘Saras’ and Shyamal Suman presented their papers and tried to develop his language, in the session on the topics “Khissa, Fakhara and Paheli in Maithili culture and tradition. Children Literatue”, “Maithili Rhymes, structure, state and possibilities” His next poem “Potab Lagid Jay and “Language and Future of children’s literature in Maithili”. Sudhir ga Banuh” presents the misery of Chandra Mishra also presented his views in this session. a book-lover who constantly buys Valedictory session was chaired by Girijanand Jha ‘Arddhanarishwar’. lots of books, despite his wife throws Ashok Kumar Jha ‘Avichal’ delivered his speech as an observer of the them out and he again keeps them symposium. Chief guest of this session was Jay Kumar and the guest in his bookshelf. “Bagahi Bir Mahal”, of honour was Dilip Jha. R. K. Chaudhary compered this session. Bina “Midlang Parsi Renah Morow” and Thakur, on behalf of Sahitya Akademi and Amlesh Jha, on behalf “Njur Samam” also portrayed the of Antarrashtriya Maithili Parishad, proposed the vote of thanks at sensibility and vision of the poet. the end.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 25 Asmita Kashmiri Women Writers

in the country with special reference to the programmes held for promotion of Kashmiri literature in Jammu and ahitya Akademi organized a programme ‘Asmita’ in Kashmir. Shahnaz Rashid conducted the programme and SKashmiri at Kashmir Women’s College of Education, Naseem Shafai, Sahitya Akademi award-winner presided Noorbagh, Sopore on 28 September 2013. over. The audience comprising of about 200 members, Six Kashmiri Women poets participated in the mostly ladies, appreciated the programme and presented programme, Naseem Shafai, Firdous Rana, Rafiqa Majeed, there tribute to the poets. The prominent figures among Shama Sahiba, Sumera Hameed and Nighat Sahiba recited audience were Atiqa Bano, Chairperson Majlis Nisa, Shahida their latest poems. Shabnum, Mustafa, the Principal of the college, Zameer The Convenor, Zaman Azurdah introduced the Ansari, Parveez Ahmad Wani, Ranjoor Tigami, Nisar Azam programme highlighting the activities of Sahitya Akademi and others.

Nighat Sahiba reciting her poems A section of audience L-R: Naseem Shafai, Zaman Azurdah and Atiqa Bano

Meet the Author K.B. Nepali

he program was organized by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Nepali Sahitya Parishad, TShillong on 15 Septembr 2013 at Babu Manisingh Gurung Auditorium, Garikhana, to felicitate the renowned poet, fiction writer and editor, K.B. Nepali. Prem Pradhan, Convenor, Nepali Advisory Board presented a bouquet and a shawl to K.B. Nepali on behalf of Sahitya Akademi. In addition to this Sri Nepali was also felicitated by various organizations from the locality. K.B. Nepali, in response to the honour received from Sahitya Akademi, various organizations and individuals of and Assam expressed his hearty gratitude and described how from a cowherd boy he rose to the present position when the apex body of Indian Literature gave him this recognition. While recalling his days of childhood, Nepali became emotional when he described how he was mentally and physically tortured by his step-mother. He was compelled to leave school and became a cowherd boy. His tender heart was totally broken and he used to write the word abhaga (unfortunate) after his name. Later, he realized that man is the matter of his own fate and abandoned the pseudo name abhaga. Sri Nepali read out a paper in which he elaborately described his creative activities.

26 DELHI Literary Forum Kashmiri Poets

ahitya Akademi organised a ‘Literary Majrooh Rashid and Inayat Gul were Mohd. Yaseen, Sidique, Ayoub Sabir, SForum’ programme at Saif-ud-din the poets who recited their poems. The Shahnaz Rashid, Jawhar Kashmiri, Nazir Memorial Conference Hall, S P College, Convenor, Kashmiri Advisory Board Azad and other faculty members and Srinagar on 29 August 2013. welcomed the poets and the audience, scholars of the college. The audience Five prominent poets of the valley and Abdul Ahad Farhad presided over. appreciated the poets and made them recited their latest poems before 150 Majrooh Rashid, Member, Advisory to repeat a few poems and some selected lovers of literature. Bashir Arif, Abdul Board presented the vote of thanks. couplets. Ahad Farhad, Zareef Ahmad Zareef, Prominent among the audience were

L-R: Zaman Azurdah, Majrooh Rashid, Abdul Ahad Farhad, Bashir Arif, Zareef Ahmad Zareef and Inayat Gul

Kavisandhi Madan Mohan Soren Kathasandhi Ramdhan Hembram

Sahitya Akademi organised a ‘Kavisandhi’ programme Sahitya Akademi organised a ‘Kathasandhi’ programme with eminent Santali poet Madan Mohan Soren on 1 with eminent Santali fiction writer Ramdhan Hembram September 2013 at Chakulia. He recited his poems, on 1 September 2013 at Chakulia. He presented his two “Gadabali”, “Situng”, “Jaapud” and “Dularia”. His poem short stories “Andha Patyav” and “Dharanj”. In these depicted the pain and sorrow of Santali society. Recited stories he discussed the issue of superstitious belief and poems offered some philosophical aspects and there was the use of intoxicants in Santal society. Before the an appeal for brotherhood. The poems were much presentation of short stories, he also appealed to the appreciated by the audience. people of Santal society to abandon all types of bad habits.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 27 Symposium Maithili Journals and Its Literature

ahitya Akademi organised a one-day Ssymposium on ‘The Contribution of Maithili Journals in the Development of and Literature’ on 22 September 2013 at Akademi Auditorium, Regional Office, Kolkata. Symposium was inaugurated by Bhogendra Jha, while keynote address was given by Devendra Jha. N. C. Mahesh, Officer on Special Duty (Programme), Sahitya Akademi welcomed the invited guests and the gathering. Beena Thakur, Convenor, Maithili Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi gave the introductory speech. The first session was chaired by Rajnandan Lal Das, the editor of Maithili L-R: Ramlochan Thakur, Prina Thakur, Anmol Jha, Raj Nandan Lal Das, Tarakant Jha journal Karnamirta and also a renowned Maithili writer. Tarakant Jha, Ramlochan over by Virendra Mallick, eminent Maithili Valadictory session was chaired by Thakur and Anmol Jha presented their scholar. Navin Chaudhary, Ashok Jha Kishorikant Jha, while valedictory address papers in this session on the topics and Mithilish Jha presented their papers was given by Gunananth Jha. Mahendra “Origin of Maithili papers and on the topics “The contribution of Hazari, as the observer of the magazines”, “Appearance of earlier Maithili papers and magazines in the symposium, said that very important Maithili papers and magazines” and “The freedom movement”, “The contribution and fruitful discussions were made. contribution of Maithili papers and of Maithili papers and magazines in the Gunanath Jha expressed his views on magazines in the development of development of literature after the role of paper and magazines, which literature in pre-Independence period” independence” and “State and direction is considered as the fourth pillar of respectively. of Maithili papers and magazines in the democracy. The second session was presided current scenario” respectively.

Meet the Author

ahitya Akademi organised a ‘Meet the Author’ programme with eminent Santali woman writer SDamayanti Beshra on 1 September 2013 at Chakulia. She is one of the most prominent Santali writers who is also a poet of considerable repute. Her writings not only inspire but also touch the hearts of both the young and the old. Damayanti Beshra narrated her literary journey in detail. She told about her inspiration for writing poetry. Her first anthology Jiwi Jharna, published in 1994, is the first ever anthology written and published by a female Santali writer. Damayanti Beshra was also the first convenor for the Santali Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, after the recognition of Santali language by the Akademi. She won Sahitya Akademi Award in 2011 for her extraordinary anthology Say Sehed. In her speech she appealed women to come forward in every field of life and to struggle.

28 DELHI Meet the Author Bhogla Soren Translation Workshop ‘Meet the Author’ programme Bengali-Dogri Awas organised at Town Hall, Rairangpur, West Bengal on 28 five-day Bengali-Dogri Short Story Translation September 2013 with eminent Santali Aworkshop was held by Sahitya Akademi at Patnitop, writer Bhogla Soren. N. C. Mahesh, Jammu from 16 September to 20 September 2013. In OSDP, Sahitya Akademi welcomed him this workshop, thirty four Bengali short stories from Bangla and gave a brief introduction. Bhogla Galpa Sankalan edited by were Soren is a well-known Santali dramatist translated into Dogri, 15 Dogri translators participated, and fiction writer. Six of his plays are published and staged namely: Vijaya Thakur, Chanchal Bhasin, Suneela Sharma, throughout India. Nirmal Vikram, Prem, Narinder Bhasin, The well known Santali dramatist Bhogla Soren spoke Chhatrarpal, Preetam Katoch, Yogesh Sharma, Shiv Dev about his early life and literary journey. He said that after Susheel, Darshan Darshi, Vijay Verma, Raj Rahi, Surjit graduation, he met Pandit Raghunath Murmu and was Hosh and Sudhir Singh. inspired by him to serve his language and society. Afterward Prof. Veena Gupta and Prof. Shashi Pathania acted he wrote many drama and one act plays, which were as Dogri resource persons and Amar Mudi was the Bangla broadly staged and got admiration of audience. expert. Prof. Lalit Mangotra, Convenor of Dogri Advisory Professionally an Engineer, Bhogla Soren had received the Board was the Director of the workshop. prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2011. He has also Geetanjali Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary of the Akademi written short stories and novels in Santali. welcomed the participants in the inaugural function on 16 September and stressed the importance of translation Literary Forum Kaluri Hanumant Rao workshops in promoting inter-language literary interactions and bringing Indian literature on a common platform. Prof. Mangotra, giving a brief introduction of earlier literary works of Bangla translated into Dogri and their impact on the growth of Dogri literature, highlighted the literary merit of the short stories selected for translation in the workshop. He hoped that this workshop will result into a very fruitful venture for enriching Dogri literature. He also outlined the working schedule of the workshop.

L-R: Kaluri Hanumant Rao, Kavalam Narayan Panikkar and K. Sreenivasarao In a ‘Literary Forum’ series by the Akademi, famous poet Kaluri Hanumant Rao was invited to recite poems and also to discuss the critical editions of the Ramayana. The programme was held at Sahitya Akademi’s Rabindra Bhavan Auditorium, New Delhi on 20 August 2013. K. Sreenivasarao welcomed the guests and introduced the writer to the audience. The programme was presided over by well-known theatre person Kavalam Narayan Panikkar. Radhavallabh Tripathi read out the Hindi translations of The participants and resource persons of the workshop Kaluri Hanumant Rao.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 29 Yuva Sahiti

eeping in view to encourage the young writers, Ka new programme series called ‘Yuva Sahitya’ had been added to Sahitya Akademi’s other literary programme series. A programme under this series was organized by the Akademi on 25 July 2013 inviting three young writers Jatinder Parvez (Urdu), Gursharan (Punjabi) and Kumar Anupam (Hindi). K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi introduced the concept of the new literary series and briefed Akademi’s focus towards its promotion of young writers and their contributions. Jatinder Parwaaz a well-known Urdu poet was the first poet who read out his recent poems. An excellent ghazal writer, Sri Pravez has published a few poetry L-R: Jatinder Parvez, B.K. Tripathi, Kumar Anupam and Gursharan collections and presented his ghazals in many mushairas, a few Kavi Darbars. Recepient of Government of Punjab Akashwani and Doordarshan. Recepient of several awards Puraskar, Sri Gurshar is presently teaching in Punjab University, that include Ashirwad Award, Shresht . Ghazalkaar Samman, Himachal Pardesh Chief Minister The last poet who presented his poems was Kumar Anupam, Award, Parwaaz also holds responsibilities in Urdu a well-known Hindi poet. He has already published a collection literary bodies. of poetry which was well received. He is the recipient of Gursewak Lambi the next poet in Punjabi sang his prestigious Bharat Bhushan Agarwal Award. ghazals and nazms to enthrall the audience. He has already At the end of the presentation, there was a lively interactive published an anthology of poetry and participated in session between the young poets and the audience.

Translation Workshop Dimasa–English

North-East centre for Oral and discussed in short the history of Literature, Agartala, Sahitya and literature. Jitendrajit Sinha spoke of his Akademi organized a experience as a translator between and Dimasa three-day Dimasa–English from the historical point of view. translation workshop from 27 to 29 July 2013. Sudipta Khersa talked about the preparation of the The workshop was inaugurated by Brajagopal Roy, manuscript. In his address, Prof. Saroj Chowdhury referred General Council Member, Sahitya Akademi. Saroj to his intensive travels through North-East India as his Chowdhury, eminent scholar and critic chaired the inaugural inner-self urging to delve deep into tribal literatures and session. Jitendrajit Sinha was the Workshop Director and languages of North-East India. two resource persons were Sunil Kr. Barman, Secretary, The participants of the workshop were Ashes Gupta, Dimasa Sahitya Sabha, Cachhar, and Sudipta Khersa, Bhaskar Roy Barman, Sayan Choudhury, Biswajit Gupta, Compiler and Editor. Somenath Banik and Parthasarathy Gupta. The participants Minakshi Sen Bandyopadhyay welcomed the participants are well established writers and translators in their own and gave a report about previous four workshops rights. conducted by Sahitya Akademi, NECOL Centre. After three days of hectic schedule with translation Brajagopal Roy inaugurated the workshop. Sunil Kr. assignments, the translators sat with the resource persons Barman in his speech told the audience about how he and finalized the manuscript of the translated texts. got involved in popularizing Dimasa language and literature

30 DELHI Akademi’s Participation Seoul International Book Fair 2013 ahitya Akademi participated in the SSeoul International Book Fair (SIBF) from 19 to 23 June 2013 where India was the Guest of Honour Country. The delegation comprised of Leeladhar Jogoori, eminent Hindi writer; Dhruba Jyoit Borah, eminent Assamese writer; M. Priyobrata Singh Manipuri writer and Basavaraj Kalgudi, Kannada writer and K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi as the coordinator. The SIBF 2013 was held at COEX Mall in Seoul (Sourth Korea). Sahitya Adademi exhibited its books in the India Pavilion. The exhibition was coordinated L-R: Sethumadhavan, Jatin Prasada, K. Sreenivasarao and M.A. Sikandar by Renu Mohan Bhan, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi. The Akademi displayed Sahitya Akademi organized two Publishing House who gave a detailed some about 100 titles mainly fiction, literary programmes during the Book report on the Digital publishing in south poetry, Tagore volumes and the major Fair. On 20 June, the second day of Korea which was quite informative. writings in English. the inauguration, all the four writers On 21 June 2013, Sahitya Akademi The SIBF was inaugurated on the from India participated in the ‘Readings’ organized another literary Symposium 19 June 2013 by the President of South programme. Basavaraj Kalgudi read his on ‘My World, My Writings’. All the Korea, Ms Park Genu-hye. She also poems in English translation and also four writers spoke about their journey inaugurated the India Pavilion along with one poem in his mother tongue Kannada of writing and also the influences that Jitin Prasada, the Hon’ble Minister of followed by Leeladhar Jagoori who shaped their writing career. State for Human Resources read his poem in Hindi , and subsequently Indo-Korean publishers’ round table Development, . A the English translation. M. Priyobrata meeting was arranged on 21 June 2013, Sethumadhavan, Chairman; Vishnu Singh also read his poems followed by with focus on Prakash, Ambassador of India to South Dhruba Jyoti Borah who read excerpts children’s literature. Korea; Veena Ish, Joint Secretary from his novel. All the readings were Sahitya Akademi (Administration), Ministry of Human interpreted in Korean for the benefit also participated. Resource Development, Government of of local audience. The exhibition India; M.A. Sikandar, Director, NBT; Sahitya Akademi also participated in came to an end on K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya the Indo-Korean Digital Publishing 23 June 2013 after Akademi were present during the Forum on 20 June 2013. There were five days of inauguration. three experts from the Korean Digital literary activities.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 31 Nepali Poets’ Meet

‘Nepali Poets’ Meet’ was organised her three poems and Hem Joshi recited Aby Sahitya Akademi in four poems. Dilu Subedi recited his collaboration with Nepali Sahitya poem titled “Aajako Hastinapur” Parishad, Shillong on 15 September (Hastinapur of today) and Geeta 2013 at Babu Manisingh Gurung Limbu recited her two poems, Auditorium, Garikhana, Shillong. “Prerana” (Inspiration) and “Chahna” The programme was presided over (The Wish). Through My Window by Nar Bahadur Rai and Prem Dambar Chhetri. Bishnu Shastri, Pradhan, Convenor, Nepali Advisory Purna Kumar Sarma, Chandramoni C.M. Adhikari spoke on Board graced the session as Chief Upadhyaya, Sagar Sapcota, K.B. Nepali, D. T. Zimba Guest. Ten poets recited their poems. Ram Bahadur Thapa. Suk Bahadur Bhakta Sing Thakuri recited his poem Thapa and Mina Thapa Jimba also ‘Through My Window’ programme “Shillong Pahadma” (In the hills of recited their poems on this occasion. Awith C. M. Adhikari was oraganised Shillong), while Ram Bahadur Shah Prem Pradhan, chief guest of the by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration recited two poems, titled “Prakitima” poets’ meet, appreciated poets and with Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Shillong (Nature) and “Apurna anubhav” advised them to devote time in the on 15 September 2013 at Babu (Incomplete Experience). Sitaram creation of the finest poetry which Manisingh Gurung Auditorium, Paudel’s poem is “Vetan” (Salary), may compel the reader to ponder Garikhana, Shillong. Jeevan Rana’s two poems, titled over. Poets have the power to eradicate D.T. Jimba was felicitated under this “Nisabda” (Silence) and all the evil elements and thus make programme. He was felicitated with a “Gopinarayanprati” (To Gopinarayan) the world and human life worthy of bouquet and a shawl by D.N. Joshi. He were recited. Anamika Rai recited her living. N. B. Rai, Seceraty, Nepali was also felicitated by various two poems, while Karna Thami recited Sahitya Parishad, thanked all for their organizations and distinguished persons. five small poems. Manju Lama recited co-operation and the poetic evening, Soon after the felicitation, C.M. Adhikari in his speech threw focus on the contribution of D.T. Jimba. Sri Adhikari stated that Sri Jimba was born at Nagari Farm in 1928, Darjeeling and spent his childhood as well as school days in the hilly village of Darjeeling. Besides writing several text books on the subjects of geography and social studies, Jimba’s devotion to Budhism and its literature is noteworthy. D.T. Jimba, in his speech expressed his deep gratitude to Sahitya Akademi for giving recognition for what he could do in his life. He also thanked all those who felicitated him. “This kind of honour at an old age works as tonic”, he said. Anamika Rai reciting her poems. L-R: Karna Thami, Prema Pradhan, N.B. Rai

32 DELHI nder the ‘Kavi-Anuvadak’ literary Kavi-Anuvadak Nepali-Hindi Useries programme Man Prasad Subba, eminent Nepali poet was invited to present his poems followed by the Hindi translation by Beena Kshatriya. Introducing the poet and translator to audience, the Deputy Secretary of the Akademi, Brijendra Tripathi said “Sri Subba has developed a new idiom in Nepali poetry which provides new horizon in the context of narrative poetry.” Sahitya Akademi Award-winner, Sri Subba started writing from his childhood days sitting in the lap of nature. His early poems were on nature and the later poems dealt with various issues of Nepali community. Some of the titles of his poetry read out were “Hippocrate khushiyan,” “Falendu ka ped” “Shahar-ek hotel ki balcony se”, “Mere itihas ki battein,” “Main kab kuchh ban paounga,” etc. Manprasad Subba and Bina Kshatriya

Mulakat with Dogri Writers

‘Mulakat’ programme in Dogri was programme, while welcoming the programme and also threw light on the organized by Sahitya Akademi, New audience, Lalit Mangotra, Convenor of importance of the book released, which Delhi at K.L. Sehgal Hall, Jammu on Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi included translations of highly acclaimed 31 August 2013. Young and upcoming introduced the participants of the works of other Indian languages. Dogri writers shared their literary works with the audience. This programme was designed to encourage young writers and to provide them a platform to showcase their talents. Rajeshwar ‘Raju’ and Sunita Bhadwal read out their short stories whereas Deepak Arsi and Joginder Kumar recited their poems. Senior writers, critics, scholars and prominent citizens were present in the programme. There is freshness in the creations of these young writers which augers well for the future of Dogri. Earlier Santanu Gangopadhyay,

Assistant Editor of Sahitya Akademi, L-R: Sunita Badwal, Rajeswar Raju, Santanu Gangopadhyay, Lalit Magotra, New Delhi introduced ‘Mulakat’ Deepak Assi and Joginder Kumar

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 33 Meet the Author Sureshwar Jha

ahitya Akademi organised a ‘Meet the Author’ Sprogramme with eminent Maithili writer Sureshwar Jha on 22 September 2013 at Akademi Auditorium, Regional Office, Kolkata. N. C. Mahesh, OSDP, Sahitya Akademi welcomed him and gave a brief introduction of the author. Sureshwar Jha is an eminent Maithili writer, editor and translator. Except poetry, he has written in almost all genres of Maithili literature such as short story, essay, memoir, travelogue and translation. Heeralal Nagar, Narendra Nagdev, Mahesh Darpan Sureshwar Jha spoke in details about his literary journey. He also remembered his Story Reading Programme student life and his deep relation with politics. He also shared his memoires from his political ‘Literary Forum’ programme was organised by Sahitya Akademi, and literary career. He also read out from his ANew Delhi on 30 July 2013. The eminent writers were invited works. to present their stories. Narender Nagdave, a reputed writer and artist presented his Play Reading two stories “Beemar Aadmi Ka Ikrarnama” and “Roshanlal ka Ration Card”. The stories mainly dealt with identity crisis of the Daya Prakash Sinha people and were widely appreciated by audience for its theme and narrative style. An architect by profession, Sri Nagdave has so far published three novels and seven story collections. Mahesh Darpan read out two of his stories “Haque” and “Desh ke Bajat se pare”. The first story was about loneliness of a father in the course of making career. The second story depicts the struggle being meted out by women in course of their daily needs. Hiralal Nagar presented a touching presentation of his story. Brajendra Tripathi conducted the programme. Sahitya Manch Programme

n this programme, three famous poets Dinesh Kushwaha, Varun ‘Play Reading’ programme was organised ITiwary and Leena Malhotra Rao presented their poetry. Leena Aby the Akademi on 13 September 2013 at Malhotra Rao presented her poems titled “Adalat”, “Meri yatra ka Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi in which Daya jaruri saman”, “Madhumeh”, “Chand par nirvasan”, “Do hansti Prakash Sinha, eminent fiction writer and playwright ladkiyan”. The poems reflected sensitive views on the position of in Hindi presented excerpts from his new play women in the socitey. Samrat Ashok. Poet Varun Kumar Tiwary from Kosi zone (Bihar) presented Sri Sinha enriched the Indian stage as a his poems reflecting different gesticulations of his region. Dinesh playwright, director and actor. Honoured with Kushwaha read his poems “Isi kaya mein moksh”, “Ladkiyan aur Sangeet Natak Akademi award, he has undertaken sona” and “Pita ki chita jalate huye”. research work too. Sinha’s plays preserve the Brajendra Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi conducted literary and artistic value of the Indian literature. the programme

34 DELHI Staff of the Akademi with the chief guest Prabhakar Shotriya

Hindi Week 17-23 September 2013

ahitya Akademi organized ‘Hindi Week’ from 17 to 23 SSeptember 2013 in Akademi’s auditorium. Guest Editor of Samkaleen Bhartiya Sahitya, Ranjit Saha was the chief guest of the programme. Hindi writer Mridula Garg said in her speech that languages were born out of necessity. Learning new languages enriches us. Language provides confidence, compassion and also to develop love among human society. Ranjit Saha and Brajendra Tripathi also spoke on the occasion. K. Sreenivasa Rao, Secretary of the Akademi expressed the need to celebrate ‘Hindi Week’ since Hindi connects the entire nation as a popular language of communication. At the end of the programme, Shanta Grover gave a vote of thanks. A number of competitions were held during the week among the staff to prove their efficiency Mridula Garg with the Akademi officials in the use of Hindi language. In the valedictory function, after observing the ‘Hindi Week’ programme, held on 23 September 2013 in the Sahitya Akadem auditorium, New Delhi, famous Hindi critic and playwright Prof. Prabhakar Shotriya was invited as the chief guest for the occasion. A new issue of Akademi’s Rajbhasha journal Aalok was released. K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary and Prof. Shotriya gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions. In his valedictory speech, Prof. Shotriya said that the language spoken by the common man is growing. We should include Hindi in our day to day life which would ultimately enrich the language itself. In the end of the programme, Geetanjali Chaterjee proposed a vote of thanks. Aalok being released

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 35 Library Forum Meet the Author Urdu Poet

Sufian Ahmad, Shashank Pratap Singh and others

ahitya Akademi Library organized user awareness cum training programme Son 15 July 2013 for the library users at New Delhi. A large number of library users and other library and information professionals attended this programme. The librarian, Sufian Ahmad, welcomed the delegates. Shashank Pratap Singh, the Territory Head, Sage Publications gave the presentation about the usage of online journals of Sage. The programme concluded with the question answer ahitya Akademi organized its ‘Meet session and finally the Librarian proposing the vote of thanks. Sthe Author’ programme on 30 September 2013 at Ram Manohar Lohiya Yuva Sahiti Maithili Poets auditorium of I.T.M University, . One of the significant Urdu poets, Padmashri Nida Fazli was invited to ‘Yuva Sahiti’ programme was organised with three young Maithili poets speak on his experiences as a writer. Aat Sahitya Akademi’s conference room, Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi on Nida Fazli, on this occasion, talked 27 August 2013. Young maithili poets Avinash, Raman Kumar Singh and Arunabh about his life and his poetic journey. “My Saurabh recited their poems on the occasion. life is poetry and poetry is my life,” he expressed. He shared his pain on the Partition of the country when his father, mother and all family members migrated to Pakistan but he decided to stay in India and faced all kinds of problems. There was time when ‘word’ was given importance but in today’s society ‘word’ comes last in the line. The meanings have been taken away from words. The place where ‘word’ gets respect, the heaven kisses the ground with love at that place. Nida Fazli also recited his ghazals and poems.

L-R: N.C. Mahesh, Arunabh Saurabh, Raman Kumar Singh and Avinash

36 DELHI Children’s Literature in Literary Forum Dogri

t was indeed a splendid opportunity for Sahitya IAkademi, New Delhi to organise a special ‘Children’s Literature Programme’ at JRC Home for Handicapped, Udheywala, Jammu. It was a wonderful experience for over 80 children of Jammu to sit face to face with prominent Dogri writers and poets and enjoy elegant stories and enlightening poetry composed by them in their mother tongue for children. Rahul Soni Narayan Sharmishtha Mohanty Shashi Pathania, former Head of Dogri, P.G. Department, University of Jammu enthralled the n a literary programme held at Rabindra Bhavan, Sahitya Akademi children belonging to various schools of the Ion 7th August 2013 three eminent English writers Vivek Narayan, locality with her bewitching stories and folktales. Sharmishtha Mohanty and Rahul Soni were invited to present their Dr. Pathania, a Sahitya Akademi Awardee, said writings. Geetanjali Chatterjee, Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi that has greatest living oral narrative welcomed audience and K. Satchidanandan introduced the poets tradition to fulfill and feed the needs of every and gave his views after their presentations. young and growing child. She narrated two stories Vivek Narayan is an innovative poet, ever experimental without specially written for the children and retold two being abstruse. Everybody recognized him when his first work interesting Dogri folk tales. Universal Beat was published. He came out with his second work , Dogri lyricist and poet, who Life and Times of Mr. S. Mr. S, the central character, is the fragile has two children poetry books to his credit and identity of the poet himself, who uses many names. He speaks known for his witty and humourous style, recited in diverse verses. Poet employs different kinds of poetic and linguistic a few poems on good manners, human values, registers and he invokes various contexts of life and literature in festivals, environment and seasons. His poems this work. His poetry, particularly, is playful and serious. He reinvents entitled “Jeebh,” “Waqt,” “Barsaant” and “Tali- himself. He thinks the Indian English tradition is minor but he took Talai” fascinated and enlightened the children. pride as it is part of his tradition. His language gives a musical Earlier Lalit Mangotra, Convenor, Advisory effect that creates a rare kind of aesthetic experience. While we Board for Dogri in Sahitya Akademi said, “This read, his work, we experience the elements of performance present is the first ever such programme in Dogri organized in his style of writing. by the Akademi to imbibe literary taste and love Ms. Mohanty is a fiction writer different from other fiction for mother tongue in the formative minds of writers. Mostly novelists are concerned with narrative and a story. children. Dogri has sprawling and rich oral tradition Mohanty’s novels are half mundane, half earthly, half metaphysical of folk literature for children. The children should and half travelogue. She deals with landscapes outer and inner, the also supplement their literary aptitude by reading process itself is the journey not in the destination. The use of prose and listening Dogri stories and poems”. Thanking is extremely creative but often lyrical. There is a painter and musician the Akademi for arranging such programme, he in her which are evident in every part of her works. The piece also said that three writers of Dogri had already she read out was from her latest publication. bagged this award for their valuable contribution Rahul Soni is a writer and mainly a translator. He is known to children’s literature. for the translation of Srikant Varma’s poetry. He captures informal Chhatrapal, well-known prose writer and tone and the quaint irony in his series of poems. Srikant Varma Secretary JRC Home, conducted the programme initiates new kind of poetics through his works and directness. The and presented vote of thanks. Many renowned programme is ended with a lively interaction between the poets Dogri writers, poets and artists along with children and audience. were present on this occasion.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 37 MUMBAI

Kavi-Anuvadak Meet the Author with Hema Naik

A ‘Meet the Author’ programme with Hema Naik, noted friction writer in Konkani, in collaboration with Raknno Konkani Weekly was organized on 31 August 2013 by Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Mumbai at Bishop’s House Auditorium, Mangalore. Krishna Kimbahune, Programme Officer, welcomed the audience and the guest-writer. K. Gokuldas Prabhu, Member, Konkani Advisory Board and the Governing Council presented a brief account of Hema Naik’s fiction and her association with number of social movements. It was Hema Naik who introduced feminism to Konkani fiction, he said. He observed that Naik’s fiction attacked the feudal patriarchy and male chauvinism. Being born in a big feudal family in a patriarchal society, she experienced humiliation of women and male domination right from her childhood, she said in her presentation. The ill-treatment meted out to girls and women evoked in her the spirit to fight L-R: Dnyanendra Pati and Praful Shiledar for the rights of women and spurred her to become financially independent and also express her thoughts creatively, she added. Dnyanendra Pati, Hindi Poet The fact that women in Goa, post-Portugese rule, were still oppressed after Independence made her contribute to social with Praful Shiledar movements, and she became part of many student movements, Marathi Translator she informed. It was the typically fierce culture of the movements that entirely changed her perspective to think of the society she was living in. The movements she participated triggered in her Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Mumbai organized the eager quest for identity as an independent woman and expanded a ‘Kavi-Anuvadak’ programme with Dnyanendra her consciousness, she observed. Her reformist endeavour made Pati, Sahitya Akademi Award winning Hindi her firm to go against shallow social customs and go for inter- poet and Praful Shiledar, noted Marathi poet caste marriage without following a single ritual, she said. Her and translator on 28 September 2013 at Sahitya literature honestly reflected the way she grew up, she stated, and Akademi Auditorium, Dadar (East), Mumbai. Sri the response that she received from her readers meant to her Pati’s collection of poems Sanshayatma won the more than any award, she concluded. Sahitya Akademi Award 2007, and Sri Shiledar After her speech she interacted with the audience and expressed translated the collection into Marathi for Sahitya her concern for the vulnerable condition of women. Fr. Francis Akademi. Roderigues, the Editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly proposed a vote Referring to the distinguished Hindi poets such of thanks. as Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh and Chandrakant Devtale, Sri Pati spoke of the tradition of harmony between Hindi and Marathi. Sri Shiledar said that Pati’s poetry included vocabulary from “tatsam,” “tadbhav,” and colloquial speech as well, so it became very difficult to translate into another language. Sri Pati recited his poems “Mumbai ka Samudra,” “Manavbam,” “Uttar Paramatma,” “We Hi,” “Thailand aur Kanchanjungha,” “Television ko Dekho,” “Dur Hote Gaye Mitra ke Liye,” “Bitiya ka Naam” and “Machis ki Babat,” and Sri Shiledar rendered into Marathi of these poems. The programme ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Krishna Kimbahune.

66 MUMBAI Kavisandhi

Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Mumbai organized a ‘Kavisandhi’ programme on 24 September 2013 in Mumbai with Ms. Nabaneeta Dev Sen, one of the most versatile Bengali women writers today. Smt. Sen presented her Bengali works in English translation before elite audience. Her spontanity, unique style of expression and vast and varied experience of life were evident from her poems. Besides being a poet. Smt. Sen displayed her erudition in comparative literature. Nabaneeta Dev Sen writes poems, short stories, novels, features and essays in Bengali.

Literary Forum Prateechi

Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, programme ‘Prateechi’ was the product distinguished Gujarati poet and Mumbai organized ‘Prateechi – A of the Western Regional Board, and Convenor of the Akademi’s Gujarati Literary Forum of West Indian meant ‘the West.’ The platform of the and Western Regional Board also Languages’ in Mummbai at Sahitya programme offers a new dimension to delivered his presidential address. Akademi Auditorium, Dadar (East) on creative writers, translators, and the The speech by the chair was followed September 2013. readers, he added. Sri Patankar in his by poetry recitations. All the poet, short Vasant Patankar, noted Marathi inaugural address observed that the story and essay writer participants read poet and critic, inaugurated the Forum. literary composition of every language out from their selected works written Krishna Kimbahune, Officer-in-Charge, was distinctive and diverse, and sound in their original languages and also in welcomed the audience and participants. speculation of different languages gave Hindi/ English translations. Udayan He informed that the title of the different feel. Sitanshu Yashashchandra, Thakkar, Gujarati poet; Yusuf Shaikh,

Meet the Author Anuradha Patil

Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Mumbai organized a ‘Meet the Author’ programme with Anuradha Patil, distinguished Marathi poet on 29 September 2013 in Mumbai at Sahitya Akademi Auditorium, Dadar(East). In her graphic presentation, Smt. Patil explored looking into at herself from others’ point of view. As she was born and brought up in a village, its environment and cultural ethos had deeply influenced her. It was because of this influence, her poetry readily accepted helplessness and sorrow of human life, she said. She further stated that faceless women and the ones who were not even aware of their own existence appeared in her poems like shadows, and she was very much aware that she was one of them. poets of her generation and of the next one, she concluded. This feeling kept her tied with her roots. It was from Earlier she presented her poems. After her speech, she sportily here that she treaded a different path from that of the interacted with the audience.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 67 Panna Trivedi, Prem Prakash, Edwin JF DSouza, Jaya Jadwani and Bhimrao Waghchoure in the short story reading session

Konkani poet; Prabha Ganorkar, Marathi reading. He opined that as far as the Vasant Patankar chaired the third poet and Laxman Dube, Sindhi poet genre of essay was concerned, there session. The session included poetry recited their poems. should be a novel thought and its recitations. Sri Patankar preferred to First session was meant for short presentation should be effective. He recite a couple of his poems instead story readings, and was chaired by Prem emphasized that prose was more of sharing his observations as chair of Prakash, Convener, Sindhi Advisory important than poetry in the development the session. He recited the poems ‘Roots’ Board. Panna Trivedi, Gujarati fiction of any language. Kishor Vyas, noted and ‘Time’. Rajesh Pandya, noted Gujarati writer, Edwin JF DSouza, renowned Gujarati essayist, read out a humorous poet, Sanjeev Verenkar, noted Konkani Konkani writer, Bhimrao Waghchoure, essay. Mukesh Thali, Konkani essayist, poet, Nand Jhaveri, noted Sindhi poet, noted Marathi writer and Jaya Jadwani, critic and translator read out his essay and Ram Dotonde, noted Marathi poet noted Sindhi writer, read out their stories. and Vinod Assudani, noted Sindhi writer recited their poems. Tanaji Halarnakar, Convener, and critic also read out his essay. Abhijeet The programme ended with a Konkani Advisory Board, chaired the Deshpande, noted Marathi critic, and vote of thanks. second session that was meant for essay essayist also read out his essay in English.

Cultural Exchange Programme Croatian Writers Delegation with Western Indian Writers

Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Mumbai organized a ‘Cultural Exchange’ programme with three writer-delegations from Croatia consisting of Ms. Nadezda Cacinovia, Mr. Srecko Horvat and Mr. Nikola Petkovic in Mumbai on 20 September 2013. The members of the delegation from Croatia presented the literary scenario of the contemporary literature of their country. The writers from the city of Mumbai representing the Western Indian languages met the delegation and interacted with them. The croatian writers’ delegation

68 MUMBAI Hindi Week

Gyanendra Pati

The participating Sindhi playwrights with Prem Prakash at the centre Sahitya Akademi’s Regional Office, Mumbai organised ‘Hindi Saptah’ from Literary Forum Sindhi Playwrights 14 to 20 September. During this week several competitions like essay-writing, Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Shahadadpuri, Hundaraj Balwani, Jetho translation, creative writing and dictation Mumbai in collaboration with Rang Lalwani and Verho Rafique. were organised. The staff of regional Karam Theatre organized ‘Literary Shahadadpuri’s one-act play Sukhji office actively participated in all the Forum’ on September 2013 in Golha dealt with complexities in a middle competitions. Eminent Hindi poet Ahmedabad at Conference Hall, M G class family; Balwani’s Kachro satirically Gyanendra Pati was the chief guest. School, Kuber Nagar. Prem Prakash, displayed a social problem; Lalwani’s Krishna Kimbahune, Regional Secretary, Convener, Sindhi Advisory Board Jihad centered on terrorism; and Rafique’s Sahitya Akademi Mumbai, welcomed chaired the Forum. The Forum included one-act sympathetically dealt with the the chief guest and all the staff-members. readings of four one-acts plays by the loneliness of an old man. He introduced Sri Pati to the audience. noted Sindhi playwrights – Jagdish In his precise speech, Gyanendra Pati focused on the usage of the languages. People and Books Prizes were distributed to the winners of the competitions by the chief guest. Amrit Bodani, Renowned Psychiatrist

Sahitya Akademi, Regional Literary Forum Office, Mumbai in collaboration with Rang Four Marathi Poets Karam Theatre organized In a book exhibition organised by ‘People and Books’ with Regional Office, Sahitya Akademi, Amrit Bodani, renowned Mumbai from 27 to 31 July 2013 at Psychiatrist, on 1 September Maheshwari Bhavan, Shegaon, a ‘Literary 2013 in Ahmedabad at Forum’ was held on 27 July 2013. The Conference Hall, M G noted Marathi poets Ramesh Ingle School, Kuber Nagar. Dr Utradkar, Manoj Pathak, Dinkar Bodani spoke of the eminent Dabhade, Sadanand Singare and Devidas Sindhi writer Harish Waswani Kalaskar participated in the forum. and his literary work specifically of his book titled 0-000. His scholarly speech Ravindra Ingle Chavrekar, Member, revealed in-depth relationship between literary creation and Psychiatry as Marathi Advisory Board chaired the science. Forum.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 69 NEW PUBLICATIONS

ASSAMESE Kinne Pakistan (Hindi novel) Marathi poetry (1975-2000) By Compiled & Tr. by Santosh Bhoomkar Ulanghan (Award winning collection of Tr. Chhatrapal Pp. VI+VI+188, Rs.150 Odia short stories of the same title) Rs. 375 ISBN 978-81-260-4158-9 By Pratibha Ray ISBN: 978-81-260-4033-9 Tr. Jyotsna Biswal Rout GUJARATI Pp. 280, Rs. 160 Samen Gi De’ngnie Souna ISBN: 978-81-260-4420-7 By N. Gopi Tanmaya Dhuli (Translation of Award- Tr. Prakash Premi winning Oriya poetry) BENGALI Rs. 130 By Pratibha Satpathy ISBN: 978-81-4031-5 Tr. Renuka Soni Eto Pashan Aalo Pp. VI+98, Rs. 100 (A collection of Hindi poems Itni Pathar Namen Laake Ch ISBN 978-81-260-3245-7 Roshni) By Arun Kamal By Chandrakanta Devtale Tr. Vijaya Thakur Hampina Khadko (Original Kannada) Tr. Aruna Mukhopadhyay Rs. 120 By Chandrashekhar Kambar Pp. 88; Rs. 80 ISBN: 978-81-260-4288-3 Tr. Harish Minashru ISBN: 978-81-260-4209-8 Pp. VI+88, Rs. 100 Mokla Gaas ISBN 978-81-260-4155-8 Kali-Kata: Via Bypass (Award-winning Hindi novel of the same title) By Om Goswami HINDI By Alka Saraogi Rs. 220 Tr. Jaya Mitra ISBN: 978-81-260-4181-7 Dhara Geet Pp. 204, Rs. 130 By Kailash C. Baral ISBN: 978-81-260-4227-2 ENGLISH Tr. Narendra Tomer Dadibudha (Odia novel of the same title) Contemporary Dogari Short Story Rs. 100 By By Ved Rahi ISBN: 978-81-260-4296-8 Tr. Ratna Saha Tr. Satnam Kaur Pp. 70, Rs. 50 Rs. 85 Gaya Dinon Ki Dhoop-Chanv ISBN: 978-81-260-4227-2 ISBN: 978-71-260-4054-4 By Shivnath Tr. Usha Vyas DOGRI Kamala Aasshu Rs. 110 (MIL on Nepali author) ISBN: 978-81-260-4297-5 Gananayak By Bijay Bantawa By Saketanand Rs. 50 Master Deendayal Tr. Krishna Prem ISBN: 978-81-260-4266-1 By Parashuram Shukla Rs. 150 Rs. 60 ISBN: 978-81-260-3385-0 The Ancestor ISBN: 978-81-260-4014-8 (Odia novel entitled Dadi Budha) Hindi Kahani Sangreh By Gopinath Mohanty Uchitvakta By Tr. Arun Kumar Mohanty By Gangesh Gunjan Tr. Usha Vyas Pp. 88, Rs. 70 Tr. Deoshankar Navin Rs. 320 ISBN: 978-81-260-4226-5 Rs. 90 ISBN: 978-81-260-4235-7 Revised edition ISBN: 978-81-260-4298-2

Chhitti Kahaniyan Potati Hiranandani (MIL on Sindhi writer) Hundraj Dukhayal By Gian Singh By Mohan Gehani By Govardhan Sharma Rs. 230 Pp. 88 Rs. 50 Pp. 84, Rs. 50 ISBN: 978-81-260-480-0 ISBN 978-81-260-4154-1 ISBN 978-81-260-4150-3

70 MUMBAI KANNADA Rajmahalak Antahpur Agnikudat Umalalele Gulab By Rabindra Kumar Choudhary (Award Winning Gujarati biography) Anandakanda Tr. Rabindra Kumar Choudhary By Narayanbhai Desai (Betageri Krishna Sharma) Rs. 150 Tr. M.B.Shah & Vishwas Patil by Raghavendra Patil ISBN: 978-81-260-4268-5 Pp. VI+XVIII+806, Rs. 500 Rs.50 ISBN 978-81-260-3122-1 ISBN: 978-81-260-0810-5 Mohan Das By Uday Prakash NEPALI KASHMIRI Tr. Vinit Utpal Rs. 95 Godan PI;R ISBN: 978-81-260-4207-4 By Premchand Tr. Hari Luitel By Punathil Kunhalbdulah Srikant Thakur Vidyalankar Rs. 250 Tr. Mohd Zamain Azurdin ISBN: 978-81-260-4161-9 Rs. 250 By Sureshwar Jha ISBN: 978-81-260-4178-7 Rs. 50 ISBN: 978-81-260-4265-4 Kashibahadur Shreshtha: Vyaktitva ra Krititva By Durga Prasad Shreshtha Panjaaby Afsaana Samayken Suta Nai Debai Rs. 125 By Omkar Koul By N. Gopi ISBN: 978-81-260-4267-8 Rs. 300 Tr. Kavita Kumari ISBN: 978-81-260-4326-2 Rs. 120 Gaunka Neeldamharu By Naresh Katuwal ISBN: 978-81-260-4231-9 KONKANI Rs. 100 ISBN: 978-81-260-4229-6 Herael Jakan Kichhu Brahmarshi Sree Narayan By Nida Fazli Krishan Prasad Gyawali By T. Bhaskaran By Sadare Alam ‘Gauhar’ Tr. R.S. Bhaskar By Nar Bahadur Rai Rs. 120 Rs. 50 Pp. VI+116, Rs. 50 ISBN: 978-81-260-4269-2 ISBN 978-81-260-4159-6 ISBN: 978-81-260-4232-6 Sati Bihula ODIA Uchalya By Bucharu Paswan (Translating Award Winning Marathi Rs. 150 Novel) 1950 Parabarti Odia Kabita ISBN: 978-81-260-4270-8 (An anthology of modern Odia poetry By Laxman Gaikward after 1950) Tr. Pandurang Gawde Yoganand Jha Comp. & Ed. Bhagaban Jayasingh Pp. 264, Rs. 125 By Shachindra Nath Mishra Pp. 260, Rs. 180 ISBN 978-81-260-4141-1 Rs. 50 ISBN: 978-81-260-4223-4 ISBN: 978-81-260-4051-3 MAITHILI PUNJABI MARATHI Kamayani Pawan Samir Di Udeek Jaishankar Prasad Durga Bhagwat By Syed Muhammad By Shanti Suman By Shobha Naik Tr. Raghuveer Singh Rs. 160 Pp. IV+140, Rs. 50 Rs. 150 ISBN: 978-81-260-4266-1 ISBN 978-81-260-4152-7 ISBN: 978-81-260-4165-7

Chhahar Dareer Ramdharisingh Dinkar Asi Jo Dekhde Han By By Vijendra Narayan Singh By Mangalesh Dabral Tr. Sankar Dev Jha Tr. Meera Taralekar Tr. Amarjeet Ghumman Rs. 140 Pp. VI+110, Rs. 50 Rs. 70 ISBN: 978-81-260-4047-6 ISBN 978-81-260-4157-2 ISBN: 978-81-260-3291-4

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 71 Balwant Gargi SANTHALI SINDHI By Rawail Singh Rs. 50 Tawak Tarko Tirth Basantji Janam Shatabdi ISBN: 978-81-260-4170-1 By Meena Murmu Edited by Arjan Hasid Rs. 60 Pp. XVI+192, Rs. 140 ISBN: 978-81-260-4037-7 Diviya ISBN 978-81-260-4142-8 By Yashpal Haramaba Tr. Surjeet Sarna By Gopinath Mohanty TAMIL Rs. 160 Tr. Gangadhar Hansdah ISBN: 978-81-260-4241-8 Rs. 60 Puthiya Tamil Ilakkiya – Vol I ISBN: 978-81-260-4035-3 by Sirpi Balasubramaniam & Neela RAJASTHANI Padmanabhan, Tumal Kahni Mala Pp.432, Rs. 450 Mhan Jikau Dekhan By Jitendranth Murma ISBN: 81-260-4360-6. By Manglesh Dabral Rs. 150 ISBN: 81-260-2391-0 Tr. Paras Arora Puthiya Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru – Vol II Rs. 100 SINDHI by Sirpi Balasubramaniam & Neela ISBN: 978-81-260-4239-5 Padmanabhan Azadia Khaupoi Gairafsaanvi Sindhi Adab Pp.464, Rs. 500 Chyar Path (Paper presented at the symposium on ISBN: 81-260-4361-3. By Rabindra Nath Thakur ‘Post Independence Non-fiction Tr. Dula Ram Saharan Sindhi Literature’) Puthiya Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaru – Vol III Rs. 100 Compiled and edited By Vasdev Mohi by Sirpi Balasubramaniam & Neela Pp. xviii+236, Rs. 150 ISBN: 978-81-260-4287-6 Padmanabhan ISBN 978-81-260-3260-0 Pp.976, Rs. 850 Ek Dhooli Ro Ghar ISBN: 81-260-4362-0. By Henrik Ibsen Sindhi Natak Ji Choond Tanaqid Tr. Bhawanishankar Vyas Vinod (An Anthology of Critical Articles on Sindhi Drama) Sivagnana Munivar Rs. 120 Compiled and edited by Prem Prakash by T. N. Ramachandran ISBN: 978-81-260-4189-3 Tr. Maya Kharangate Pp. 128, Rs. 50 Pp. xx+225, Rs. 140 ISBN: 978-81-260-4122-0. ISBN 978-81-260-4151-0

72 MUMBAI KOLKATA

National Seminar Autobiography, Travelogue, Criticism and Essays

ahitya Akademi organized a two-day national Panda, a celebrated Odia poet and scholar, shared SSeminar on ‘Autobiography, Travelogue, his thought about the plight of literature in this Criticism and Essays’ in collaboration with age of technological revolution and entertainment Sambalpur University in Biju Pattnaik Auditorium industry. He emphasized upon the growth and at Jyoti Vihar, Sambalpur, Odisha on 31 August development of human studies that would govern and 1 September 2013. the qualitative and quantitative energy of our The inaugural session was chaired by Gopal literature. Krushna Chandra Pradhan, Member, Krushna Rath, eminent Odia poet and member, Odia Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi presented General Council of the Akademi while B.C. Barik, the keynote address in the session while M.K. Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University Meher from the Department of Odia, Sambalpur inaugurated the seminar. Dr. Barik, in his inaugural University proposed a vote of thanks. address, expected the seminar to be very useful First session was on the ‘Odia Travel Literature’ for the students, teachers, scholars and social chaired by Bhupen Mohapatra who is a famous activists. Gaurahari Das, eminent fiction writer and travel writer in contemporary . Convenor of the Odia Advisory Board of Sahitya Anasuya Mohapatra, Gouranga Charan Das, Akademi delivered the introductory address while Manoranjan Pradhan and Prasanna Kumar Swain Mihir Kumar Sahoo, Programme Officer, Regional presented their papers on the themes, “History Centre, Kolkata welcomed the guests and of Travel Literature in World,” “Art Value in Odia participants. The chief guest Rajendra Kishore Travel Literature” and “Matters and Analysis of

L-R: Krushna Chandra Pradhan, Gopal Krushna Rath, Rajendra Kishore Panda, B.C. Barik, Mihir Kumar Sahoo and Gourahari Das

48 KOLKATA Odia Travelogues” respectively. render the meaningful attributes of a Affirming that travelogues leave multi truthful confession. With its origin in the dimensional impression on the socio- European tradition, Odia autobiographies cultural scenario, the speakers said that for some times have shown powerful delicacies of travelogues are vividly blend of history and social analysis. exposed to have a distinct idea on the Personal egos, irrespective of value and place or country the writer travels. On prejudice in presentation, however, make the other hand, travelogues provide this genre weak and ineffective, adequate detail of the places, people and concluded the speakers. places where the writer, as a hero of The next session was focused on history. Even elements like social realism, the work, accepts the traveled-land as the theme of criticism. The session was feminism, psycho-analysis and cultural an imaginary home-land. There seems chaired by Kumad Ranjan Panigrahi. renaissance have been seriously weighed contradiction between the real and the A.K. Dash, Debiprasanna Pattnaik, through criticism in case of Odia fictions. fictive in the narrative of the travel Kailash Pattnaik, Santosh K. Rath and Inspite of such status, Odia criticism has literature, the participants opined. Shyam Bhoi read out their papers in to go a long way, remarked the speakers. ‘Autobiography’ was the theme of this session. The topics of the session The concluding session of the the second session chaired by Jatindra were “Pre–Nineteenth Century Odia national seminar was on ‘Odia Essay’ Kumar Nayak, Member of the Odia Criticism Literature,” “Trends and chaired by Debendra Kumar Das, Advisory Board and papers were Tidings in Odia Criticism Literature,” renowned essayist; papers were read out presented by Aparna Mohanty, “An Analytical Study of Major Odia by Babrubahan Mohapatra, Samar Bijayananda Singh, Dwarikanath Nayak, Criticism,” “Odia Criticism Literature Mudali and Prassana Kumar Pattnaik. Sangram Jena and Udayanath Sahu. The 1921-1950” and “A Critical View on The topics of their papers were “The topics were varied and provoking such Fiction Criticism in Odia After 1950.” Beginning Chapter in the History of as: “Post-Independence Odia As literature is the analysis of man and Odia Essays,” “Post-Independence Odia Autobiographies,” “Autobiography as a life, criticism is the study of that analysis Essays” and “Essays and Non-Fictional Literary Genre,” “Literary significance in and it is an instrument of interpretation. Prose.” Autobiographies,” “Odia Autobiography: While the criticism was, at the primary Describing the evolution of Odia a Brief History,” and “Creative Aspects level, audio-centric, later on it became essays from the attempts made by Fakir of Autobiography in Odia.” very healthy and specified during the Mohan Senapati and Nath Ray, the participants expressed the view that Autobiography was represented as publication of Utkal Deepika, a pioneer while in the first phase Odia essays were a sincere portrayal of events, career, Odia magazine. In criticism, the critic non-specific without identifying characters, places, scenes and experiences analyses first, and then follows his scheduled subjects, in the second phase, of the writer’s life. It was observed that interpretation and view. they embraced diverse subjects and in Odia literature more than 200 The creative sources are identified became recognized as a specific literary through analysis while significant autobiographical works have already genre. These essays contained a subject, been published. Incidents from life and implications, keeping the socio-cultural a world view, a literary verdict and lasting impression of history of an and religious backdrop in mind, pushing certain modes of acceptance. The tones individual portrayed in the autobiography more for extensive deliberation on the and styles of presentation have been bring forceful espousal of a person’s concerned work. Appreciating the different, from native to modernist, from works, mission and commitment which contribution of Prachee Samiti, functional simple to complex, from innocence to not only delight but also inspire and under the aegis of renowned scholar intellect. On the other hand ‘Ramya evokes readers’ sentiment. This becomes Prof. Arta Ballabha Mohanty, in the Rachana’ have become a recent literary a brilliant record of the writer concerned twenties for illustrious attempts on Odia output written with more vibrant, including his views on individuals he criticism, the speakers emphasized on sophisticated and subtler presentation. meets, memories he nurtures. At the the multi-disciplinary aspects of criticism. Contemporary elements mixed with same time, the writer provides vibrant Likewise, Odia fictions have showcased satire and laughter with colourful ideas on trials and tribulations, number of critical studies after seventies, meanings and balanced conclusions have interruptions and recoveries, friends and underlining deeper understanding of become the subject matter of these non- foes, well and woes of those which characters, environment, mythology and fictional proses, said the speakers.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 49 Seminar on Bodo Drama

ahitya Akademi organized Drama.” Birhasgiri Basumatary also presented paper on S a two-day seminar on “Bodo Historical Play a Critical Appreciation.” ‘Bodo Drama’ from 9-10 In the second session, Tulan Mushahary presented a paper September 2013 at Bodoland on the topic “Women Characters in the Plays of Kamal University, Kokrajhar, BTAD, Kr. Brahma.” Another scholar Rajendra Kr. Basumatary Assam in collaboration with presented a paper, “Bodo Social Reality reflected in Bodo Sahitya Sabha. Monoranjan Lahary’s play.” Brajendra Kr. Brahma, former Kameswar Brahma, President of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha President, Bodo Sahitya Sabha took part in the interaction chaired the inaugural session. Welcome-address was delivered as a respondent on the topic presented by Tulan Mushahary by Goutam Paul, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi. while Khabaram Swargiary, Rajen Khakhlary, Vice -President, Premananda Machahary, Convenor, Bodo Advisory Board, Bodo Sahitya Sabha and Adhir Kr. Brahma discussed the Sahitya Akademi inaugurated the session. Shekhar Brahma, other two topics of the session. At the end, the Chairperson Registrar, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, graced the occasion delivered a brief speech highlighting the topics. as the chief guest. In the fourth session Adaram Basumatary presented a First session began with the topic “Theme and Technique paper on the topic “Theme and Technique of Kamal Kr. of Bodo Jatra Gawn,” presented by Bhoumik Boro. Gwgwm Brahma’s play.” Another scholar Rwirup Brahma presented Brahma Kachari presented his paper on the topic “Social a written paper on the topic “Bodo One Act Play and Impact of Bodo Jatra Gawn.” Mangal Sing Hazoary also Radio Play.” Jibeswar Koch presented his paper titled presented his paper on the topic “Origin and Evolution “Critical Analysis of Mangal Sing Hazowary’s Play.” At the of Bodo Jatra Gawn.” At the end of the seminar, Bisweswar end, Indira Boro took part as a respondent on the topics Basumatary, Vice-President, Bodo Sahitya Sabha took part in an interaction as respondents on the topic “Origin and presented by Sri Brahma while Sri Khabaram Swargiary Evolution of Bodo Jatra Gawn,” Khabaram Swargiary responded on both the topics presented by Sri Basumatary responded on the topic presented by Sri Kachari and Swarna and Sri Koch. The chairperson highlighted the topics in his Prabha Chainary on the topic presented by Sri Boro. The brief speech. first session came to an end by a brief speech from the The valedictory session was presided over by Kameswar Chair. Brahma, President, Bodo Sahitya Sabha. Prafulla Kr. Hazoary, The second session began with the topic “Theme and Secretary, Education Dept. BTC, Kokrajhar graced the Technique of Modern Bodo Drama” presented by Indira occasion as the guest of honour. He delivered his speech Boro. Another scholar Swarna Prabha Chainary presented briefing vividly the topics discussed as mentioned in the a paper “Social Picture as reflected in Modern Bodo programme.

Seminar participants and the audience

50 KOLKATA Seminar Romanticism in Manipuri Literature

two-day seminar on ‘Romanticism young writers took up the romantic The title of Tampha Devi’s paper was Ain Manipuri Literature’ was tradition in their novels, short stories and “Romanticism in Manipuri Poetry of organized by Sahitya Akademi in later in narrative verse. Tokpam Ibomcha Irawat, Kamal, Chaoba, Anganghal, and collaboration with The Cultural Forum, took up the romantic strain through his Mineketan.” The topic of ’s from 15-16 September 2013 novels and poems. Thoibi Devi, a paper was “Romanticism in Manipuri at Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall, . woman novelist, described love without Poetry of Samarendra, Nilakanta, The seminar was inaugurated by L. any sound and fury in her novels. Ram Madhubir, Biren and Ibopishak.” Iboton Singh, President, the Cultural Singh, another novelist, used his pen for Shantibala Devi spoke on “Romanticism Forum with H. Behari Singh, Convenor, reformation in the traditional society in Manipuri Poetry of Bhubonsana, Manipuri Language Advisory Board, with romantic setting on the background. Lanchanba, Memchoubi, Birendrajit and Sahitya Akademi, N. Khagendra Singh Not only novelists but playwrights and Raghu.” and Goutam Paul, Officer incharge, short story writers also explored the The second academic session was Sahitya Akademi Eastern Region were theme of love in their writings. M.K. ‘Romanticism in Manipuri Short Story’ present on the dais. Binodini Devi with her successful debut was moderated by Kh. Prakash Singh. Welcome address was delivered by in play-writing and short stories brought Paper presenters of this session were Sri Paul. While delivering his welcome out a historical novel Bor Saheb Ongbi E. Singh, N. Rojika Devi, Sri address, Sri Paul appreciated the high Sanatomb. Kunjamohan Singh and K. Hemchandra Singh and H. Nalini quality and richness of the wealth of Rajanikanta described in their short stories Devi. They presented papers on the Manipuri literature. Manipuri literature a new world and society, sometimes full topics “Critical Assessment of has enjoyed a prolonged relationship of innocence and sweetness, and very Romanticism in Manipuri Poetry, Short with romanticism. The ancient Manipuri often full of frustrations and helplessness. Stories, Plays and Novels,” “Romanticism poets had the habit of attributing human The traditional romantic and sentimental in Manipuri Short Stories of feelings to the objects of nature. N. poetry also found its votaries in the Kunjamohan, Prakash, Dinamani, and Khagendra Singh in his keynote address writings of Ibohal Singh, Surendrajit Nilbir,” “Romanticism in Manipuri Short “Romanticism Revisited” stressed the Singh, Minaketan Singh and Nilbir Shastry. Stories of Sonamani, R.K. Elangba, importance of Romanticism in literature. The Romantic trend, however, seems to Priyokumar, Viramani and Ibomcha” Romanticism was the dominant literary deflect its course with the appearance and “Romanticism in Manipuri Short trend in the dawn of modern period of G.C. Tongbra whose socio-political Stories of Premchand, Sunita, Sudhir, in Manipuri literature that came around plays are a class by themselves. Arambam Mani, Nabakishore” respectively. 1891 after the British came to Manipur. Somorendra’s drawing-room comedies The third academic session, on the Many pioneer writers like Hijam kept the readers spell-bound. The second day, ‘Romanticism in Manipuri Anganghal, Khwairakpam Chaoba, inaugural function concluded with the Drama’ was moderated by Professor Hijam Irabot, Hawaibam presidential address by L. Iboton Singh, N. Khagendra Singh. Paper presenters Nabadwipchandra, Lamabam Kamal, President, The Cultural Forum, Manipur. of this session were N. Ahanjao Meitei, Ashangbam Minaketan, Arambam The first academic session on Rajen Toijamba and Makhonmani Dorendrajit, Rajkumar Shitaljit appeared “Romanticism in Manipuri Poetry” was Mongsaba. The topics of their papers one after another after this event. moderated by Th. Ratan Kumar of were “Romanticism in Manipuri Plays They heralded a new re-awakening in . Three paper- of Ibungohal, Anganghal, Lalit, Tomba Manipuri literature. This note of presenters were T. Tampha Devi, N. and Ibobi,” “Romanticism in Manipuri romanticism was discernible in the writing Bidyasagar and K. Shantibala Devi on Plays of G. C. Tongbra, Samarendra, of other younger writers of the following the poetry of Lanchenba, Memchoubi, Kanhailal, Tomchou and Sri Biren” and generation. Birendrajit and Raghu. All the papers “Romanticism in Manipuri Plays of H. Behari Singh delivered the made exhaustive study of all the poets Sanajaoba, Shamu, Brajachand, Rajen inaugural address. He said that many given to each one of the paper readers. and Brojendra” respectively.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 51 The last academic session of Chaoba, Kamal, Angahal, Shitajit and The valedictory speech was delivered ‘Romanticism in Manipuri Novel’ was Thoibi,” “Romanticism in Manipuri by H. Behari Singh, Convenor, Manipuri moderated by Kh. Kunjo Singh. Paper Novels of Pacha, Guno, Binodini, Biren Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. The readers of this session were Ng. Ekashini and Chitreshwor” and “Romanticism in seminar ended with a vote of thanks, Devi, Sharatchandra Longjomba and S. Manipuri novels of B. M. Maisnamba proposed by Kshetri Rajen, Secretary, Santibala Devi. The topics of their papers Bira, Borkanya and Jodhachandra” the Cultural Forum, Manipur. were “Romanticism in Manipuri Novels respectively.

Asmita Odia Writers

ahitya Akademi organized an ‘Asmita’ programme The new yet refined voice of younger generation Swith six Odia women writers on 17 July 2013 Pratikhya Jena recited her two poems entitled “Ahalya” at Bhubaneswar. and “Ghataka”. Ranjita Panda, a poet from Sambalpur Gourahari Das, Convenor of Odia Advisory recited “Prema Karib asa”. An architect turned poet Board of Sahitya Akademi presided over the Ratnamala Swain recited her two poems entitled programme and introduced the women writers. “Ghara-1” and “Ghara-2” which were based on the Sucheta Mishra read her poems, “Nari Deha” and contradiction and commonality between the two houses “Monsoon-wet Evening of July.” Smt. Mishra was – one built in brick and mortar and the other one unfolding the common perception of the society in in emotion and aspirations. Swagatika Swain was the a very aggressive manner. She voiced that a woman only story-teller of the evening. She read out her story has always been judged by her anatomy and not her “Padamudi” (A toe ring). This is a symbol of marriage. personality. Her self-consciousness needs to be redefined This differentiates a married woman from an unwed against what has been written in the scripture like girl. A small ornament can speak in volumes – that Manusmruti. Her other poem was “Samadharma.” was the plot of her story. The poems and story of The other women writer Angurbala Parida recited this programme unveiled the never-ending quest of her two poems “Rabana” and “Balada.” She tried identity of Indian women. programme was attended to portray the helplessness of an emasculated bull by eminent poets and writers. Banoj Tripathy proposed which was a metaphor for the helpless human being. vote of thanks.

Ranjita Panda, Sucheta Mishra, Ratnamala Swain, Gourahari Das, Angurbala Parida, Swagatika Swain and Pratikhya Jena

52 KOLKATA Symposium Sankaradeva in Modern

n connection with 445th death anniversary Gogoi. The paper was an in-depth study of how Bezboruah I of Sankardeva, a symposium on the received the philosophy, language and diction of Sankardeva topic, ‘Reception of Sankardeva in Modern in his creations. The third paper was presented by Ranjan Assamese Literature’ was held in Duliajan College on 7 Bhattacharaya on the topic “Study of Sankardeva by Maheswar September 2013. The symposium was organized by Sahitya Neog.” He drew attention to the fact that it was Moheswar Akademi in collaboration with Duliajan branch of Assam Neog, who provided for the first time a scientific and Sahitya Sabha. systematic analysis of Sankardeva in his research-based The inaugural session of the symposium was chaired writings. by Kamala Boragohain. Delivering the inaugural speech, The second session was chaired by Nava Kr. Handique. Karabi Deka Hazarika specifically mentioned the impact The first paper was a joint paper by Aichena Buragohain of Sankardeva on Assamese art and literature across the and Phulajyoti Saikia on “Biographical Novels on the Life ages. According to her, Sankardeva’s influence on Assamese of Sankardeva.” The presentation was with special reference cultural life is too deep to be effaced by the passage of to two novels, namely Dhanya Nara Tanu Bhal by Abdul time. Malik and Jakeri Nahi Upam by Dr. Laksmi Nandan Borah. Ananda Bormudoi, Professor, Department of English, Sankardeva emerged as a social reformer and brought about Dibrugarh University in his keynote address pointed out numerous reforms in the beliefs and customs of the society, the difference between ancient literature produced during the scholars observed. Ajit Saikia presented a paper on the time of Sankardeva and modern Assamese literature. “Reception of Sankardeva in Tribal Novels.” In his He observed the dichotomy between creative literature and presentation, he showed how starting with Miri Jiyari, most social life, he stated that when creative literature has rejected of the novels bear the signs of Sankardeva’s reception. The God, social life has welcomed God. last paper of the session by Pranjit Borah was on the topic, The first session was chaired by Prafulla Borah. The “Reception of Sankaedeva in Modern Assamese Poetry.” first paper presenter was Anil Saikia and the topic of his Sri Borah presented the impact of Sankardeva on many paper was “The Lyrical Literature of Sankardeva”. In his poets in terms of idea, theme and language. presentation, he highlighted through illustrations the salient The valedictory session was chaired by Punya Saikia. aspects of Sankardeva’s songs and lyrics. The second paper In his speech, he hoped the symposium on the life of was on the topic “Reception of Sankardeva in the language Sankardeva would contribute substantially in creating awareness of Bezboruah,” presented by Bina Bordoloi and Deepak about Sankardeva among the masses.

Participants in inaugural session of the symposium on Sankaradeva in Modern Assamese Literature

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 53 Literary Forum Birth Centenary of Jyotrindra Nandi

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Literary were full of dramatic elements, she SForum’ on the Birth Centenary of pointed out. noted Bengali writer Jyotirindra Sutapa Bhattacharya, a retired Nandi in its auditorium, Kolkata on 12 Professor of Bengali from Visva-Bharati August 2013. Goutam Paul, Officer in University analysed two novels of Nandi charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata in her speech. She opined that in his welcomed audience and introduced the writings, Nandi wanted to show the fact Literary Forum guests. that women are not born with the sense Creative Literature The first speaker Rabin Pal discussed of physical chastity. He threw light on on the themes, imageries and the narrative the psychology of married Bengali for Children skill of Nandi’s works in general and women. She discussed the novel Mirar with special reference to popular novel Dupur in details. The image of blood ahitya Akademi organized a literary Baaro Ghar Ek Uthon. and the colour red dominate this novel. Sforum on ‘Creative Literature for In his speech, Srabani Pal, Professor The plurality of voices is a significant Children’ on 6 September 2013 at in Bengali, Rabindra Bharati University impact of this novel. D. C. B. College auditorium, Jorhat, observed that Jyotirindra lead a secluded Gopa Datta Bhaumik, former Vice- Assam. The welcome-address was life. He wrote in the troubled post-war Chancellor of Gourabanga University delivered by Karabi Deka Hazarika. world. He chose his themes from his from the chair discussed about the love The guest of honour of the occasion surroundings. Sense of beauty is the stories of Nandi. He said that Nandi was Kamaljyoti Gogoi. The speakers hallmark of many of his writings. Dr. was never after popularity and wrote were Abjijit Sarma Baruah and Pal analysed some of the short stories stories with subtle hints which general Santichaya Saikia with Prafulla Rajguru of Nandi who spoke a lot about the reader sometimes could not decipher. in the chair. marital life of Bengali families. Returning He wrote about the loneliness of the Prof. Hazarika in her address said to nature in a different way was the city life. According to Bhaumik, he can that the writers of children’s literature theme of many of his works. His writings be compared to Kafka in this context. should have deeper understanding of child psychology and its attraction towards creativity. Santichaya Saikia presented her paper with Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s poems. According to Smt. Saikia, acquiring one’s mother tongue is the first creative art of a child. She also pointed out that Sankaradeva also wrote for children. Abhijit Sarma Baruah, in his paper, briefly depicted the scenario of children’s literature along with its history. Prafulla Rajguru in his speech, in the chair, discussed about those books which gained worldwide fame in the field of children’s literature as well as that of adults.

L-R: Sutapa Bhattacharya, Gopa Datta Bhaumik, Srabani Pal and Rabin Pal

54 KOLKATA Kathasandhi Amar Mitra Festival of Poetry Reading

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Festival Sri Tualchin Neisial recited the poetry Sof Poetry Reading’ in collaboration in ; Zejem Gangte recited with Meetei Society, , the poetry in and L. Manipur on 17 August 2013 at SYNOD Thangjom critically assessed their oral Hall, I. B. Road, Churachandpur, poetry; Hatneo recited the poetry in Manipur. Thadou Kuki and Anty Ngulyang critically The welcome address was given by assessed their oral poetry; Ginsuanthang H. Bijen Kumar Singh. Rajen Toigamba, recited the poetry in Teddim Chin General Council Member of Sahitya language and H. Pauzachin critically Akademi also delivered his speech. Key- analysed the poems; Thangsawihmang note address was delivered by M. recited his poetry in and Chaoba Stanley, Meetei Society, critically assessed the tradition of oral . In his speech, poetry in his language. he spoke about the evolution of Meetei Sri L. Malsawam recited the poetry society from the very beginning till date. in and Sri Liankhothong He focused on the different tribes of critically assessed the tradition of oral Manipur, particularly those living in the poetry in the particular language. At the district of Churachandpur. He also said end of the session a general critical ahitya Akademi organized a about the modern tendency among assessment was presented by Anty S‘Kathasandhi’ programme with noted painters and playwrights to subordinate Ngulyang. Bengali fictionist Amar Mitra on 22 realism to the symbols or characters In the second session, the Moderator July 2013 at Sahitya Akademi auditorium inner experience. was L. Pangamte, Secretary, Hmar in Kolkata. The chief guest H. Behari Singh, Literature Society. In this session poetry Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay, Convener, Manipuri, Advisory Board, from six languages were read and then Convenor, Bengali Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi expressed the taken for discussion: Sahitya Akademi delivered the importance of this one day festival of T. Ezara Kom recited the poetry introductory address. He said that in the poetry programme. This programme from Kom literature; Kh. Lungdin Aimol 70s language of soil came into foreplay can promote the cause of language and recited from the Aimol poetry. An as the majority of the writers were literature of different tribes of Manipur, indigenous group presented a folk song closely associated with the soil. They he asserted. with musical instrument. wrote from the viewpoint of an insider. In his presidential address, S. Ngaizahat recited the Smite folk Amar Mitra belongs to this group of Shanajaoba Meetei, Vice President, Meetei poetry. Aloysius Nehkhojang recited new writers. Society, Churachandpur opined that this poems in and Aloysius Sri Mitra in his speech said that his one day festival of folk-poetry would Nehkhojang critically assessed the oral writings were not of a homogeneous guide the young and grown-up who like poetry of his language; H. H Mate nature. They were written from different the folk language and literature. He also recited poetry in Mate language and view-points. Many of them have personal said that folk literature is the mirror of critically assessed them and N. J. Rajen elements in them. He is deeply committed our past culture. Lai recited the poetry from Meetei in understanding the common Indian In the first session, the Moderator language. people, their hopes and aspirations, their was L. S. Gangte. In this session poetry At the end of the session a general struggle for a meaningful, joyful existence. from six languages were read and then critical assessment was presented by Dr He read out two stories and an excerpt opened for discussion. Ginneiching Simte. from one of his novels entitled Dashami Divas (The Tenth Day).

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 55 Approach to reading and writing should be for “Art for Art’s Sake,” he asserted. Second speaker of the session was M. Nara Singh who said that science and literature cannot be separated. Literature and culture are the products of society. He dwelt on his melodrama “Lidici Gee Gulap” and also his participation in the World Peace Council in Prague in 1983, where the participants, medical doctors from all over the world resolved to an immediate action to save the blue planet, from the holocaust of nuclear bomb. He also recited his poems. He pointed out that World Conference at R.K. Jhalajit, M. Nara Singh and R.K. Bidur Havana in 2007 changed the views of many and he believed that ‘Literature Men and Books is for society.’ Jodha Chandra Sanasam, the third speaker referred to two works; an epic Five Eminent Manipuri Personalities poem “Khamba Thoibi Sheireng” by Hijam Anganghal and “Madhabi” by Dr. Kamal as the most inspiring sources ahitya Akademi organized ‘Men and pointed out how they are influenced by for him to write books despite being SBooks’ and ‘Young Poets’ Meet’ the Manipuri society. a doctor. Next, he pointed out about programmes in collaboration with the The presidential speech was delivered the plot structure of Dan Brown’s Da Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching, Manipur, by Y. Dhananjoy Singh. He opined that Vinci Code and also referred to The Bourne at the auditorium of Library and every generation of writers and poets Identity by Robert Ludlum, Doctor Zivago Information Centre, Kakching on 18 must support the young poets and writers by Boris Pasternak, Pearl S. Buck’s The August 2013. of the next generation. Good Earth and books of . Y. Dhananjoy Singh, President, The first session of ‘Men and Books’ Dr. Sanasam read out gists of some Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching was the was moderated by ‘Padmashri’ R.K. of the best novels. The thematic plot Chair and the Chief Guest was H. Jhalajit Singh. and structure of The Bourne Identity mainly Behari Singh, Convenor, Manipur First speaker of the session, influenced him. According to him the Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. The ‘Padmashri’ M. Kirti Singh recalled his books are intellectual thriller, full of welcome address was delivered by past life experiences of Kakching village adventures, mysteries, conspiracy, Goutam Paul, Officer in charge, Sahitya and his acquaintance with the people of excellent narratives interspersed with Akademi, Kolkata. Five eminent that area. He reflected on the inspiring romance. personalities from Manipur in the field words of Francis Bacon about reading Fourth speaker, R.K. Bidur presented of theater, cinema, art and science were books- “Reading makes man perfect.” his speech on the topics “Theatre and invited to speak on the books that have He stressed the value of judging books Mirror” and “Theatre and Films” relating shaped their personalities. and its impacts on human society. The to the Manipuri Literature. He delivered H. Behari Singh in his address said speaker mentioned that writers, poets his speech by recalling his closeness with that the speakers expressed firmly that and authors must try to venture a new people of Kakching in various occasions the writers must be very cautious and technique of writing which lays both through art and literature. He stressed have to extensively read books. He subjective and objective views. He gave on the concept that “Theatre” is an age focused on the themes of the writings some examples of Greek, Roman and old traditional product and art form of modern Manipuri writers. He also Indian philosophy referring to literature. of the society. In the context of Manipur,

56 KOLKATA theatre and its performing art is associated with their cultural heritage like “Lai Meet the Author Haraoba” and other ritual performances. He earnestly drew the attention of the E. Dinamani Singh audience on the responsiblity for upliftment of cinema and theatre. The speaker tried to revive the value of ‘true’ art through theatre. N. Rajmohon Singh, the fifth speaker reflected on Mother Teresa’s experience and dedication for leprosy patients, and the into two independent nations - India and Pakistan in 1947. He also reflected the importance of global concern for further existence of life emphasising on the changing world. Sri R.K. Jhalajit. “Man alone is E. Dinamani Singh at the centre endowed with capacity of reading Sahitya Akademi organized a ‘Meet the besides his mother tongue Manipuri, literature and human beings are the Author’ programme with E. Dinamani Dinamani is a good translator who integral parts of society.” Singh in collaboration with Manipuri translated novels and plays into Manipuri. Literary Society, Imphal at Hindi Parishad He was honoured with the Sahitya Manipuri Poets’ Meet Hall, Assembly Road, Imphal on 16 Akademi Translation Prize in 1994. September 2013. Dinamani was Editor of The Ritu, a A ‘Young Poets’ Meet’ was organized A fiction writer, poet, playwright quarterly journal of the Cultural Forum, by Sahitya Akademi with the assistance Elangbam Dinamani Singh is an expert Manipur of which he was General of Sahitya Seva Samiti, Kakching, in the creation of comic situations and Secretary for a long time. Manipur. Twenty poets participated in eccentric characters who interact with Huirem Behari Singh introduced the the Meet with R. K. Bhubonsana Singh one another in a dialogue of simple speaker to the audience and said that as the chair. The participants were words. Thaklabi (1970), Morambi Angaobi his short stories are the blend of humour Thokchom Kiran, C.H. Deepu, Seema (1974), Pistol Ama Kundalei Ama (l981), and human sympathy. Singh’s poems Sadarani, N. Romina, Prema Chanu, Mantra Jantra Tantra (1986) are some were also read out. Okendro Khundongbam, M. B. Meme, of Dinamani’s important collections of E. Dinamani Singh said among the Ranita Konthoujam, R.K. Naoria, short stories. The Sahitya Akademi Award literary generes he wrote, writing novel Uttarnbala Chanu, Kunjo Naorem, P. for Manipuri was given to him in 1982 was his first love. He also clarified that Pradeep, Ksh. Joykumar Singh, Sarat for his collection of short stories entitled some personal elements were bound to Salam, Th. Joykumar, Th. Bishwamittra Pistol Ama Kundalei Ama. In the field of appear in some of his writings. He Sharma, M. Bheigyachandra (Tentha), Y. novel, Dinamani has made significant added that he was trying to explore the Sunolata and Lenin Khumancha. All the contributions. The , human relationship in his works of poets read out their poems in Manipuri Imphal, gave him the award for being fiction. He also gave his opinion about followed by the English translations. Sri the best Humorous Playwright 1992-93. how to build up a singular effect in Singh from the chair observed that this Apart from being an established creative writing short stories. His intention was kind of programme would inspire the writer, Singh is an excellent literary critic to give a message at the end of his budding poets to produce quality also. The first three of his major critical fiction. The programme concluded with Manipuri Sahitya Amasung writings. works are vote of thanks proposed by the General Sahityakar (1969), Khwairakpam Chaoba Secretary, Manipuri Literary Society, (1971) and Dr Kamal, Punsi amasung Sahitya Imphal. (1982). Well-read in Hindi and English

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 57 Literary Forum Treatment of Nature in Manipuri Literature

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Literary of Manipur. In all the poems written opinion, the medieval Manipuri literature, SForum’ on “Treatment of Nature in by the modern poets like R.K. Shitajit started from the 18th century lasted till Manipuri Literature” in collaboration Singh, Elangbam Nilakanta, Minaketan 19th century, was greatly influenced by with Malem Ayee Kol, Khabam Lamkhai etc, the beauty of nature is glorified. the Bhakti literature. Hindu epics like the on 19 August 2013 at Asheiningthou He quoted many lines from different Mahabharata and the Ramayana were also Garden, Matai, Imphal. poems written by different modern poets written in Manipuri. Even the Manipuri H. Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri like Biren, Memchoubi Devi, S. language liberally borrowed Sanskrit and Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi and Lanchenba Meetei, Raghu Leishangthem Bengali words. Old religious stories of W. Mahendra Singh, President, Malem etc. Manipur also extolled the beauty of Ayee Kol graced the function as the The last speaker T. Tampha Devi nature. There was a lively discussion and Chief Guest and President respectively. read her paper “Treatment of Nature interaction at the end. S. Lanchenba Meetei moderated the in Medieval Manipur Literature.” In her session. H. Behari Singh dwelt on various aspects of Manipuri literature including the writings where nature played a major role and influenced many Manipuri writers in his address. Makhonmani Mongsaba the first speaker mentioned that there was a close relation between the Manipuris and Nature. People depend on nature for their livelihood. Nature as mother-nature was depicted in Manipuri literature. The second speaker Sharatchandra Longzomba read his paper by introducing the poems of Khwairakpam Chaoba, one of the renowned poets Saratchandra Longzomba, S. Lanchenba Meetei and T. Tampha Devi

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58 KOLKATA Through My Window building the characters; silent protest against value erosion; long-standing Prafulla Kumar Tripathy on Purnananda Dani contemplation over scenes and experiences which made his stories not ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Through college days, walked down the memory- only powerful but also memorable. In SMy Window’ programme on 30 lane giving a panoramic description them readers recognize themselves, their August 2013 in Panthanivas Conference of his long association with Dani neighbours and acquaintances. He Hall, Sambalpur in which Prafulla Kumar who later became an amazing story appreciated the verbal gifts of Tripathy described the multifaceted writer. Dr. Tripathy said that Dani Purnananda and underlined the tones personality and creative career of the had experimented writer Purnananda Dani (1943-2004). through his fictions Purnananda Dani is regarded as one of to test, entertain and the extraordinary fiction writers with enlighten his readers. marks of excellence and exuberance. He Despite a series of was born and brought up in Sambalpur, interruptions in his the cultural nerve centre of West Odisha. career, Dani loved Gopal Krushna Rath, celebrated poet to write stories. His and member of the Akademi’s general frequent publications council and Odia Advisory Board, in the then children’s chaired the programme while Mihir magazine Mina Bazar Kumar Sahoo, Programme Officer, helped him to grow Regional Office, Kolkata, in his welcome as a powerful fiction Prafulla Kumar Tripathy and Gopal Krushna Rath address briefed on Akademi’s initiatives writer. Dr. Tripathy to promote Indian literatures as a whole underlined the features of Dani’s writings and lines of his creative works. His through various programmes. that included surrealistic elements, creative endeavour was aimed to Dr. Tripathy, a prominent scholar, symbolic and imaginative presentation, transcend time and place, finally providing writer, linguist and literary activist, a thought provoking irony, artistic Purna Ananda (total delight) to the readers, friend of Dani during his childhood and craftsmanship, beauty and fantasy in said Dr. Tripathy.

THROUGH MY WINDOW E. Dinamani Singh on E. Sonamani Singh

ahitya Akademi organised a ‘Through My Window’ Sprogramme in collaboration with Iramdam Meeyamgi Apunba Khorjei Lup (IMAKHOL) on Elangbam Sonamani Singh on 19 August 2013 at Kiekol Community Hall, Kiekol, Manipur. Chingangbam Chandrakala presided and Huirem Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi in his introductory speech stressed on the importance of translations. Sri Sonamani Singh, a versatile Manipuri writer started writing from his school days. He has published over forty books in Manipuri in diverse genres like poetry, short story and novel of which thirteen books are works of translation. He has also translated two books into English. He is an adept translator who also translated a collection of Bengali E. DInamani Singh, H. Behari Singh and Chinganbam Chandrakal essays by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 59 Symposium Criticism in Bodo Literature

ahitya Akademi organized a Ssymposium ‘Criticism in Bodo Literature’ in collaboration with Bodo Sahitya Sabha on 11 September 2013 at Bodo Sahitya Sabha Bhawan, , Assam. The introductory address was delivered by Nirmal Basumatary, Secretary, Bodo Sahitya Sabha. The The topic of the second academic inaugural address was delivered by Nipen session was “Criticism in Bodo Novel.” Ch. Baglary, President, Bodo Sahitya The speaker of the session was Magesh Sabha. Narza Bodo with Lalit Ch. Basumatary The topic of the first paper presented in the chair. Sri Bodo spoke on the by Aurobindo Uzir was “Modern Bodo character of Rebeka in the novel of Kathasandhi Poetry.” He focused on the nature of Manoranjan Lahary. post-modern poems and its use of The topic of the third academic Nagen Saikia simple language, formlessness, lack of session was “Criticism in Bodo Short traditional principles etc. Gopinath Story.” The speakers of the session were ahitya Akademi organized a Brahma presented a brief sketch of the Dhanjoy Narzary and Uttam Ch. Brahma S‘Kathasandhi’ programme with characters from the book entitled Soul with Bisweswar Basumatary in the chair. eminent Assamese fictionist writer of Sound by Aurabindo Uzir. The topic The topic of Sri Narzary paper was Nagen Saikia on 6 September 2013 at of the paper by Lokeshwar Hainary was “The reply of Incomplete Letter: The D.C.B. College auditorium, Jorhat, “A Short Descriptions of the Modern Trend of the Social Awareness in the Assam. Guest of Honour of the Poems in the Book of Poems entitled Short Story.” Sri Brahma presented the occasion was Jeenamoni Bhuyan, River of the Moon.” Rituraj Basumatary paper “Short Story of the Bodo and Principal, D. C. B. College. Karabi Deka spoke on the features of two poems Its Style and Development.” Hazarika, Convenor, Assamese, Advisory by Uzir in his paper. Premananda After a brief interactive session, the Board, Sahitya Akademi delivered the Machahary, Convenor, Bodo Advisory symposium ended with the vote of welcome address. The programme Board, Sahitya Akademi chaired the thanks by Modon Ch. Swargiary, was chaired by Basanta Kumar session. Secretary, Bodo Sahity Sabha. Goswami. In her speech, Prof. Hazarika threw light on the life and works of Dr. Saikia spoke on the origin of many of his writings. He also discussed Saikia’s characters from his stories. He also replied to the questions raised by the audience in the interactive session. The programme ended with the chairperson’s speech in which he highlighted the influence of Dr. Saikia’s writings on the readers and his contribution to the Assamese literature.

One of the sessions in progress

60 KOLKATA Ancient Manipuri Literature: Critical Assessment presented a graphic account of geographical structures of Manipur in the ancient time based on the descriptions life and death and the development of in Tutenglon. the concept of death as found in the The topic of the paper of I.S. discussed book. Y. Kunjabihari Singh’s Yumnam was “The Mystical elements paper “The Allegorical Study of Social in Khoriphaba Naothemlon.” He traced the and Political Preview of Numit Kappa mystical elements in the mythology of in Modern context,” dealt with an allegorical bond between man and nature Khoriphaba – the only son of Soraren, ahitya Akademi organised a ‘Literary with special reference to early Manipuri the king of heaven. The topic of the SForum’ in collaboration with literature. paper of W. Romesh Singh was “Art Nongchup Haram Khorjei Lup, The second session was moderated of Literary Style in Leirol.” Dr. Singh Yurembam on ‘Critical Assessment on by Th. Ibohanbi Singh. The first paper dwelt on the craftsmanship employed Ancient Manipuri Literature’ on 20 read by K. Shantibala was titled “An on the structure of Leirol. He briefly August 2013 at Patsoi Taomang Rising Essence of Feminism in Panthoipi discussed the significances of the imagery Club, Imphal West, Manipur. Khongkul. She focused upon the feminist flowers found in Leirol. In the inaugural function, H. Behari movement in Manipuri society both past In the valedictory function, presided Singh, Convener, Manipuri Advisory and present. by Kunjo Ningomba, Leima Dance by Board and Kunjo Ningomba, President, N. Indramani Singh read the paper Tombimcha and her group was HOHAKHOL, Yurembam were the chief “Literary Aspect in Tutenglon.” He performed. guest and president respectively. Goutam Paul, Officer in charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata delivered his welcome speech. Literary Forum In his keynote address, P. Nabachandra Singh, Dean, School of Humanities, Image of Manipuri Women Activists Manipur University critically evaluated ahitya Akademi organized a literary empowerment for women. The role the Manipuri literature from ancient to Sforum ‘The Image of Manipuri of Manipuri activists is far more the contemporary period. He also Women Activists in the Contemporary advanced than writers as observed by pointed out the relevance of them in Manipuri Literature’ in collaboration with Devi. In the inaugural session, the modern Manipuri context. The chief Leimarol Khorjeikol, Imphal on 13 academic session was moderated by Ch. guest, Prof. H. Behari Singh in his address September 2013 at M.D.U. Hall, Yaiskul, Shilaramani Devi. Papers were read by briefly discussed the relevance of Manipur. W.Kumari Chanu, Salem Shanibala Devi, Manipuri folk-lore. In the presidential H. Behari Singh, Convener of the Sangeeta Devi on the Manipuri poetry, speech, Kunjo Ningomba expressed the Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya fiction and drama. importance of such symposium which Akademi in his inaugural brought out the classical aspects of address said that from time ancient manipuri literature. The vote of immemorial Manipuri women thanks was delivered by L. Shashikumar had the tradition of protesting Singh. against all odds which is The first session was chaired by O. reflected in the literature as Ibochaoba Singh in which four papers well as in folktales of Manipur. were read out. A. Tejmani Singh’s paper N. Aruna Devi, Vice- “Heroic Elements in Chainarol” brought President, LEIKOL, in her out the heroic elements of the ancient speech from the chair referred Manipuri society. The topic of the paper to Irawat, Sharmila and of N. Shreema Devi was “Concept of , in different Death in Konthoujam Nongkarol.” She tried contexts for achieving Salem Shanibala Devi, Sangeeta Devi and W. Kumari to trace the demarcating line between

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 61 Through My Window Ranajit Dev Goswami on

travelogues. He called Dr. Bora’s short story “Sakhaa Daamodar,” the best short story ever written by an Assamese writer till today. Prof. Goswami said that Dr. Bora’s autobiographical writing Kaal Bolukaar Khoj, first serialized in the Assamese periodical Prantik, could very well be considered a document of its time, and that this could possibly be a characteristic of much of Dr. Bora’s writing. Dr. Bora’s novel on the life of the Assamese vaisnava saint Srimanta Sankaradeva, Jaakeri Naahike Upaam, published in 1993, was a major contribution to Assamese literature. He said it was the product of a lot of hard-work by Dr. Bora. Prof. Goswami described Dr. Bora as one of the most brilliant Lakshmi Nandan Bora and Ranajit Dev Goswami Assamese writers writing in the realistic and naturalistic mode. The lecture was followed by an interactive ‘Through My Window’ programme was organized by session during which there were several questions asked Sahitya Akademi on 9 September 2013 at the Department to which Dr. Bora promptly responded. In the question of Assamese, Gauhati University. Ranjit Kumar Dev and answer session, he particularly mentioned about Goswami, Professor of English, Gauhati University spoke the pleasure of being a creative writer experienced in on the life and works of eminent Assamese litterateur writing something good. He also said he wrote for Lakshmi Nandan Bora. Prof. Goswami spoke about his own creative satisfaction more than for anything Dr. Bora’s prolific output as a creative writer, with 32 else. novels, a large number of short stories, drama, and

Literary Forum Children’s Literature

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Literary Forum’ on Children’s opinions on the presented papers. The programme SLiterature, in collaboration with Writers’ Club Manipur, ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Kh. Samungou Nambol on 15 September 2013 at Public Theatre Hall, Singh. Phoijing, Nambol. The inaugural session was chaired by Saratchandra Nongthomba, President, Writers’ Club Manipur, Nambol. H. Behari Singh, Convener, Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, inaugurated the function and delivered the introductory address. The academic session was chaired by Lamabam Viramani Singh. The three speakers of this session were Chirom Rajketan, Raghu Leishangthem, and K. Shantibala Devi. They spoke on the topics “Children Literature: An overview,” “Style and Technique” and “Past and Present” respectively. The chairperson of the session presented her L-R: Reghu Raghu Leishangthem, Lamabam Viramani Singh, Chirom Rajketan and K. Shantibala Devi

62 KOLKATA Bodo Poets’ Meet Kathasandhi M. Nabakishore Singh two-day ‘Bodo Poets’ Meet’ was organized by Sahitya AAkademi in collaboration with Bodo Writers’ Academy at Dudhnoi College Auditorium Hall, Dudhnoi, Goalpara, Assam from 8 to 9 September 2013. In the inaugural session, Premananda Machahary, Convener, Bodo Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, delivered the inaugural address. Mongol Singh Hazowary, Anjali Daimary, Diganta Lawary, Gopal Phukan, Principal, Dudhnoi College, Dudhnoi participated in the programme as distinguished guests. The President of Bodo Writers’ Academy, Bijay Baglary presided over the inaugural session. Atul Chandra Boro, President of the Reception Committee of the programme traced the history of Bodo publications. He mentioned that the first book on Bodo language was Boroni Fisha o Ayen published in printed H. Behari Singh and M. Nabakishore Singh form from Dudhnoi in the year 1915. Dr. Premananda Machahary gave a valuable speech on the development ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Kathasandhi’ programme and upliftment of the Bodo language, literature, art and Swith noted Manipuri writer M. Nabakishore Singh in culture etc. collaboration with Macha Chanu, Kakching, Manipur on Mongol Singh Hazowary, the special guest spoke about 14 September 2013 at Yambem Mani Sahitya Bhavan, his works. The speech of Anjali Daimary was centered Kakching. around the feminist literature. Rajen Basumatary, General Nabakishore Singh started writing at a very young Secretary of the Bodo Writers’ Academy delivered the age and published his first poem in his school magazine. keynote address. Bijay Baglary, President, Bodo Writers’ He has authored four short story collections. He won Academy spoke from the chair about the technical Yambem Mani Sahitya Mana and Manipur State Kala expressions of the literature, their application and their Akademi Literary Award. influence over the readers. The first session was presided H. Bihari Singh, Convenor, Manipuri Advisory Board, over by Bhabani Baglary, Vice-President, Bodo Writers’ Sahitya Akademi delivered the inaugural address. He spoke Academy. Roma Kanta Basumatary, Dhaneswar Narzary, about fictionists of Manipur and the distinctive features Mohan Lahary, Sarat Boro, Khagen Ramchiary, of their works. N. Pramodini Devi in her presidential Rashmi Choudhuri, Sansumwi Khunggri Basumatary, address presented an overview of the present scenario Beshari Basumatary, Dhirju Jyoti Basumatary, Utpal of Manipuri literature and the place of noted writers like Khakhlary participated in the session and presented their M. Nabakishore Singh in it. poems. M. Nabakishore Singh read out a story entitled “On The second session was chaired by Naba Kumar the Lost of Bala”. The story is centered on a simple Brahma, Vice-President, Bodo Writers’ Academy. Dhansri family where the main character Madhu, the head of the Swargiary, Upen Daimary, Samar Narzary, Barua Kanta family, and his spouse Tombi are well blended. The story Brahma, Umesh Brahma, Aran Raja Basumatary, Champabati is a well-structured creation of the fictionist. The writer Khakhlary, Bhupendra Narayan Basumatary, Ranen Chandra personifies “Bala” as a victim of the modern diabolic Muchahary, Khabam Basumatary and Thulungga man. The art of the presentation is very simple but the Mwshahary recited their Bodo poems. The valedictory subtle portrayal of characters is really interesting. The story session took place with Bijay Baglary in the chair. Uttara is built up with three consequences of short episodes. Bwiswmuthiary was the guest of honour who spoke on It is a mixture of irony and satire through various elements the feminist literature in Bodo language. of humours. The writer interacted with the audience at the end.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 63 Sahitya Samaj Award, Sri Baladeb Jiu Kathasandhi Sahitya Sammana, Bhubaneswar Padmja Paul Pustakmela Award, Dharitia Award, Pakhighra Award, Sammana, Binapani Mohanty Galpa Sammana and Bhubaneswar Behera. Mr Banoj Tripathy gave vote of thanks.

Loka on Pena Literature Poets’ Meet

ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Loka on Pena Literature’ as Swell as a ‘Poets’ Meet’ on 14 September 2013 in collaboration with Manipuri Sahitya Pracharak Sabha, Wangjing in Manipur. ahitya Akademi organized a The Loka programme was started with an invocation by Pena ‘Kathasandhi’ programme with noted S singer Longjam Pishak Singh. H. Behari Singh graced the Odia scholar Padmaj Paul at IDCOL occasion as the chief guest and N. Biren Singh, President of Auditorium, Bhubaneswar on 28 Manipuri Sahitya Pracharak Sabha, Wangjing as the President September 2013. of the programme. Introducing Sri Paul, Gourahari Das, H. Behari Singh, Convenor of the Convener, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, said that Paul distinguished Akademi explained the relationship himself by his uniqueness in storytelling between Pena and literature. For the and selecting themes among his multitalented Manipur, people have started contemporary writers. His stories appear experimentation with Pena. As Manipur to be autobiographical, he added. grapples with a growing distrust amongst Talking about his own story, the communities, perhaps in the strings of journey of a successful writer, Sri Paul Pena lays the strength of uniting such said Bibhuti Pattanaik’s novel Dina Jae a varied multi-ethnic fabric. Chihna Ruhe inspired him to write stories. The inaugural function was concluded He said one needs honesty, hard labour with a speech delivered by the President, and dedication to be a good writer. For N. Biren Singh. In the first session, Makhon the young writers he advised to select Mani Mongshaba spoke on the origin simple words and communicable idioms of pena, the most antique and unique in order to make the stories intelligible musical instrument of the Meiteis. After and acceptable to the common readers. the speeches, two Pena singers Leimapokpam Yaima Singh and To encourage the budding writers, he Rk. Surjit gave demonstrations of the living art form. suggested the readers to read their stories. In the second session, a ‘Poets’ Meet’ was held with S. Ajay Swain read out a story of Sri Paul Nabadwip Singh in the Chair. Participitating poets were M. entitled “Pinjarabadha”. Bheigyachandra, Th. Bishwamitra, Y. Utambala, Th. Joykumar, Sri Paul was born in the year 1946 Kshetri. Rajen, Seema Sardarani, M. Devadas, Sarat Salam, in Kusinga village of Jagatsingpur. He Ranjita Konthoujam, Th. Khoiren, Y. Surchandra, T. Sorojini, has 11 short story collections and wrote Oken khundongbam, Lenin Khumancha and Gunamani Leima. more than 15 novels. Sri Paul was M. Rajendra Singh, ‘Kavya Bhushan’, proposed the vote of conferred with many literary awards thanks. such as Puraskara, Jhankara award, Utkal

64 KOLKATA Literary Forum Sunil Gangopadhyay

ahitya Akademi Katha Rakheni” in Bengali and then Gangopadhyay’s writings are always S organized a its translation in Manipuri. H. Temba lyrical that makes reading pleasurable. ‘Literary Forum’ on Singh, Joint Secretary of the Samiti A.C. Netrajit, General Secretary of Sunil Gangopadhyay, welcomed the gathering and read out Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti proposed veteran Bengali poet a short biographical sketch of Sunil vote of thanks. and fiction writer and Gangopadhyay. A two-minute silence In the poetry reading session eleven the former President was observed in honour of the departed poets participated. It was chaired by of Sahitya Akademi in collaboration poet before further proceedings of the Jodhachandra Sanasam, a distinguished with Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti on main programme. The Convenor also writer. He began by reading out a poem 17 September 2013 at Dave Literature released the 156-159th issue of the in English by Gangopadhyay and then Centre, Imphal, Manipur on 17 Wakhal, a quarterly journal of the Samiti its Manipuri translation. The readers were September 2013. on the occasion. Sanjenbam Bhanumati Devi, R.K. The programme was a tribute being Khumanthem Prakash Singh in his Bhubonsana, Arambam Memchoubi offered in honour of the late writer. speech touched upon Gangopadhyay’s Devi, Birendrajit Naorem, Raghu In the first session, four scholars spoke early literary activities and traced the Leishangthem, Koijam Shantibala Devi, about life and works of Sunil trajectory of his coming up to the Yambem Tombi Devi, Sri Salam Gangopadhyay and the latter session limelight as a remarkable writer. The Rupachandra, R. K. Hemabati Devi, was devoted to the reading of Sunil second speaker was Nongthombam Saratchand Thiyam and B.P. Gangopadhyay’s selected poems Kunjamohan, a distinguished writer and Bhattacharjee. At the end, Sri Jodhachandra Sanasam, the Chairman, (translated into Manipuri) by Manipuri translator who has an erudition over gave his observations on the poetry poets and writers. P. Nabachandra Singh, original Bengali works of Sunil reading session. President of the Naharol Sahitya Premee Gangopadhyay. Naorem Khagendra Samiti presided over the inaugural session Singh, former Convener, spoke about and H. Behari Singh, Convenor of the Gangopadhyay’s activities in building up Loka Manipuri Advisory Board, Sahitya a company of likeminded young writers Akademi inaugurated the literary forum who ventured to publish a new wave Horse Dance of Odisha and delivered the introductory speech. magazine Kritibas in preserving the old At the outset, Naorem Bidyasagar, a values. ahitya Akademi organized a ‘Loka: Manipuri poet and writer read out a The fourth speaker was Longjam SThe Many Voices’ programme on poem of Sunil Gangopadhyay “Keu Jaychandra Singh who said that the Horse Dance of Odisha on 28 September 2013 at IDCOL Auditorium, Bhubaneswar. Guru Utsab Charan Das and his team was profound and amazed the audience. Guru Utsab Charan Das tried to bring about some innovations in the subject matter of the Chaiti songs in order to raise public awareness and educate the mass against various social evil. He has also written Chaiti songs depicting the evils of illiteracy, of having large and unplanned family, of dowry system, of pollution and H. Behari Singh, P. Nabachandra Singh, Kh. Prakash Singh, N. Kunjamohan Singh, so on. N. Khagendra Singh and L. Joychandra Singh

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 65 BENGALURU

Seminar and

ahitya Akademi, Chennai organized cons of the impact of Tamil cinema Sa seminar on the ‘Influence of Tamil on the society, Prof. Nachimuthu said Literature on Tamil Cinema’ on 20 & that cinema served as a vehicle to spread 21 September 2013 ideals for the Indian Independence K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya movement in India and Dravidian The impact created by the Akademi delivered his welcome address. movement in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Tamil films is far reaching than In his welcome address, Dr. Rao said cinema propagated progressive ideas that of any religious or cultural that literature and cinema apply balm and gave an awakening call to a to the aching hearts of millions. Story superstitious society. movement in the past. telling is the fundamental technique both Maalan, a reputed Tamil writer and Popularizing the Freedom for cinema and literature. Chennai evolved well-known editor delivered introductory Movement and getting across as the centre for South Indian cinema address. He mentioned that 2013 is the in Tamil and the ethos had spread among the centenary year of Indian cinema and Nadu are the strides achieved people of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil literature has influenced cinema by the Tamil Cinema. Kannada. Though the technique of in various spheres like dialogue, songs, Adaptation of literature into cinema is Western, but the structure, narrative technique and social content. cinema in Southern Indian texture and content of southern cinema He discussed the literary creations of languages is widely varied from are native— Dravidian tone interspersed , Rajaji, Namkal Kavignar, Malayalam or Tamil literatures. with folk idiom. Bharatidasan, Aringnar Kalki, Mu.Va., P.S. Ramaiah, , Ki The seminar tried to deliberate Anna and many poets and intellectuals Ra, and illustrated from Tamil literary world gave a new how the films were different from the the links between the cinema direction to Tamil films. novels. and literature in Tamil especially Krishnaswamy Nachimuthu, Balu Mahendra, veteran film director the issue involved in converting Convenor of Sahitya Akademi, Tamil delivered the keynote address. He Tamil Literature into cinema. Advisory Board delivered his presidential exhorted the writers to enter into the address. While analyzing its pros and film world and improve the screen play,

L-R: Kamarasu, Balu Mahendra, Neela Padmanabhan, Maalan and K. Sreenivasarao

38 BENGALURU dialogues and songs with a better creative written by D. Jayakanthan.The script is impressed the discerning minds that touch. more important and novelist can be evoked appreciation. Neela Padmanabhan, well-known roped in to do the job, Sri Lenin The third session featured a single Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi Award expressed. Amshankumar informed that lecture by Theodre Baskaran on “Imaging winner participated as the guest of literature and cinema are parallel, though the Word.” He analyzed the portrayal honour. Literature and cinema could not identical, cinema adds colours and of characters in literature to films and remain without influencing each other. glamour to literature. Sasi said that a the narrative techniques followed. in Adaptation is more important when novel can be lengthy but a film should literature and cinema. making a novel into celluloid, Neela be crisp and focused to shun boredom. mastered the imagination of the word Literature is on emotion whereas the Padmanabhan pointed out. The that cinema is visual media, and the story adaptation can happen consciously and film is on visual and action. should not be told through conversations, sometime unconsciously, he added. The second session also concentrated he stated. R. Kamarasu, well-known Tamil on film-making experiences of The fourth session held on 21 critic delivered the felicitation address. Gnanasekaran and Gowthaman. Na. He mentioned that cinema, a medium Muthusamy director of ‘Koothu Pattarai’, September 2013 was on “Living up the is globally spreading its tentacles of chaired the session. Na. Muthusamy Legendary Characters”. Eminent Tamil good and evil. Globalization in cinema informed that film-making and acting fiction writer G. Thialakvathy chaired the and literature sometimes affects the native involve continuous learning process and session. She recounted important efflorescence. He felt that progressive the reading experience is different from characters in the films of Satyajit Ray ideals emanating from literature should cinematic experience. Gnanasekaran said and Mrinal Sen. She extensively analysed necessarily be portrayed well in films. in his presentation that if a film venture Pather Panchali and Flight of Pigeons known A.S. Ilangovan, Officer-in-charge is based on a book, it would only be as Jugnu. Sahitya Akademi proposed the vote of successful if the total effect of reading Film actor Sivakumar commented thanks. experience of the novel is fully conveyed on characterisation in the film Uchiveyil The first session concentrated on on screen. based on the novel by Indira Parthsarathy. ‘Transition from Text to Cinema’. Three Gowthaman, film director and actor Abishek mentioned that the book film directors participated to share their spoke about his film Makizhchi based An Actor Prepares by Stainslavski is a film-making experiences based on novels on Neela Padmanabhan’s novel master piece and guide for upcoming and stories. Playwright and actor Mu. Thalaimuraigal (Generation). He tried to actors. He spoke on the characters of Ramasamy chaired the session. Lenin, recreate the pain and pleasures portrayed Mohamul by T Janakiraman. a veteran film editor and director, spoke in the novel. The story creates empathy The panel discussion in the fifth on the film Ooruku Nooruper, a film in a deeper level. He also screened some session was on a controversial topic, based on the novel of the same title important scenes from the film which “Does filming novel mar their original texture?” , veteran Tamil fiction writer acknowledged the difficulties of film makers in his remarks. Well-known writers and filmmakers participated in the session. S. Ramakrishnan, well-known fiction writer said that film making is a different art and the writer can only help in screenplay and dialogue. Bhagyaraj wanted full freedom for a director. R.C. Sakthi spoke about controversial actions portrayed by him and the reaction from the audience. Nanjil Nadan also advocated the need of freedom for film makers. delivered the Balu Mahendra delivering the keynote address valedictory address.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 39 Tamil Poets’ Meet

L-R: K. Kamarasu delivering his speech at the meet with other participants

ahitya Akademi arranged ‘Poets’ Meet’, a programme Thenmozhi recited a few of her poems. Thanga Son the eve of Subrmania Bharati Day on 11 September Senthilkumar recited poems on Bharati written by him. 2013 at Marudupandiyar Educational Institution, Vetrichelvan’s poems gave an overview of the present Thanjavur. Kamarasu, General Council member of Sahitya political scenario in the country. Sugan recited his poems Akademi welcomed the august audience and introduced on the currencies of India and the US. Viyakulan’s poems the poets on the dais. Sujatha Bharatidasan presided over depicted the realities of society. Finally Ilakkumikumaaran the function and spoke on and his Gnanathiraviyam recited his poems to conclude the influence on Tamil poets and the society on the whole. programme.

Croatian Writers’ Delegation with Tamil Writers

adazada Cacinovic, Srecko Horvat Nand Nikola Petkovic participated in a literary forum organised by Sahitya Akademi, Chennai. The delegates spoke about Croatia, its culture, education and literature. A selected audience consisting of major Tamil writers interacted with the foreign writers. Veteran Tamil fiction writer Neela Padmanaban, Sa. Kandasamy, Nanjil Nadan, Ponneelan and Thilagavathi were introduced to the delegation. The social context and current trends of Tamil literature were discussed. Manavalan spoke on non-fictional works, scholarly compendiums and critical works. While Pandiyarajan discussed about cultural context, Ramasamy and Subhaschandra Bose discussed the role of writers and scholars in a turbulent Croatian delegates with Tamil writers society.

40 BENGALURU Symposium Mundur Krishnankutty and His Literary World Kathalokam K.S. Ravikumar, General Council Member of Sahitya Akademi in his keynote remarks said that Mundur’s stories gained prominence during the seventies when communist ideologies dominated the literary world. Mundur promoted these ideas long before the communist movements in India. Through varied satirical and humanistic approaches, he has created a miniature universe throwing light to the ugly faces of societal violence and proclaims his presence in a very subtle yet strong manner. P.K. Parakkadavu, Genereal Council Member of Sahitya Akademi in his chairperson’s introductory address said Mundur created a unique path in L-R: C.Radhakrishan, S.P. Mahalingeshwar, Thomas Mathew, story writing and that he cannot be categorized K.S. Ravikumar and Ajan into any specific generation of writers. He had ahitya Akademi in association with Palakkad been always involved and attached with the young SDistrict Public Library organized a ‘Symposium generation. There is no other writer who has on World of Fiction of Mundur Krishnankutti’ powerfully drawn the conflicts between an individual on 28 September 2013 at Palakkad. S.P. and a society. Mahalingeshwar, Officer-in-charge, Sahitya K.P. Mohanan, presented his paper on the Akademi, Bengaluru welcomed the guests and political undercurrents of Mundur Krishnankutty’s audience. M. Thomas Mathew, veteran Malayalam writings. His depth, and ideologies have gained critic and scholar, who inaugurated the symposium strength in various readings, writings and cultures. said that Mundur Krishnankutty could understand Its relevance has increased from time to time, and record the pathetic plights of human lives. in its extreme form towards the individual and Prof . Mathew undertook an indepth understanding ultimately to the society itself. of Mundur. The energy level, he maintained in Ganesh Mathur presented a paper on the his thoughts, emotions and approaches were the “Regional Culture in Mundur’s Stories”. Mundur’s determining factors of Mundur’s style of writing. stories have a humanistic touch in it and yet the Every human sorrow has its own private level, language has a certain flow common to the not to be shared with anyone. It is therefore a regional areas of the writer that speaks of a man challenge, every writer encounters as how to unaware of time and space. convey the feelings that are rooted in the introvert G. Dileepan presented a paper on “Alternative nature of an individual. The crisis happens when worlds in Mundur Krishnankutty’s Stories”. the language is insufficient to express what the Mundur’s stories were always evocative rather than writer has to share, observed Prof. Mathew. simple depiction of middle class people’s lives, C. Radhakrishan, the Convenor, Malayalam he observed. A kind of political ambivalence is Advisory Board, who chaired the inaugural session clearly visible in his stories. We can see a parallel said that sincerity of the story-teller is the only dimension shift in all his stores. Habits play a very thing that makes a story great. A sincere mind vital role in them, especially those which are can only narrate a good story. Sincerity is something unacceptable. Realities and dreams exist together that is inborn in a writer. there, but do not interact.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 41 K.P. Ramesh presented a paper on “Layers of the self ”. The prime meaning of the term Literary Forum ‘layers of the self ’ is the feeling of becoming isolated, even standing in the middle of a crowd. Children’s Literature These thoughts are reflected throughout in Mundur’s stories. The situations written in his stories are such ahitya Akademi’s ‘Literary Forum’ on Children’s Literature that, at one point, the characters merge in with Swas held on 27 August 2013 at Thamizh Sangam, the writer and move along as one entity. Puducherry. R. Sambath, Member of General Council, Mundur Sethumadhavan chaired the second Sahitya Akademi delivered his introductory speech stressing session on ‘Tributes’. He shared his memories of the need to redefine the theory of writing for children at Krishnankutty of their strong relationship. Ashokan this time of globalization. Charuvil, while paying tribute to Mundur, said Krishnaswamy Nachimuthu, Convenor, Sahitya Akademi, that though modernism ruled the literature of that Tamil Advisory Board chaired the programme. In his speech, age, Mundur’s narrative style differed and moved he stressed that more number of qualitative books for in a pace, keeping certain distance from the children must be written by our writers. The publishers modernistic views. He along with Mundur should take special interest in producing books suitable to Sethumadhavan, Vaisakhan and C.V. Sreeraman, the taste of the children. Tamil culture and its interest for bridged the gap between their generation and ideas Tamil language among children should be emulated. of modernism. Ka.Thamizhmallan delivered his speech about the present George Joseph K read his paper in which trend of children literature. Bharathivanar Siva delivered he recalled his days with Mundur Krishnankutty. lecture on his stories for children. He denounced the culture He stated, “Mundur’s story “Moonnamathoral”, of consumerism existing in children’s literature in Tamil today. has the depth of love and care in it. Women Saravanan Velu spoke about the dramas meant for children are positively porfrayed. The family bondage and the need for such plays, etc. Children’s literature should depicted in the story is a very rare phenomenon. not have the tendency to preach morals. However, children’s Through his simple worlds, he has conquered a literature should touch the inner chords of the children. lot of human minds”, he concluded. S. Raguraman delivered his speech on the technique of how N. Radhakrishnan Nair presented his views to express the facts of science through children’s fiction. on the personality of Mundur Krishnankutty. One Sundara Murugan, Member of Tamil Advisory Board, would feel the magical presence of a musical touch Sahitya Akademi compered the programme. Sethupathi, in his talks. It has its own tenderness. Similarly Member of Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi delivered his stories have a poetic touch, which makes it a vote of thanks. difficult to determine whether it is a story or a poem. In the story like “Aaswasathinte Manthra Charadhu”, we feel the presence of the writer in each and every line of it. P. Murali recalled his memories on Mundur Krishnankutty’s advice as his preacher and teacher for his career. The valedictory session was held in the evening. Ramachandra, IAS, District Collector and Chairman, Palakkad District Public Library welcomed the gathering. K.P. Sankaran, eminent critic chaired and in detail hailed Mundur Krishnankutty’s literary achievements. Eminent fiction writer Vaisakhan delivered the valedictory address. Kasim, Secretary, District Library Council, Palakkad proposed a vote of thanks to conclude the Sampath delivering his speech at the Forum symposium.

42 BENGALURU Contemporary Malayalam Novel Trends and Approaches

ahitya Akademi, Southern Regional Centre, in “Modern Trends in Malayalam Novel” was the focal Scollaboration with Government College for Women, point of the lecture delivered by Benjamin. He said that Thiruvananthapruam organised a literary meet on the topic ‘modern’ is a pseudo concept. Fictionalization of history ‘Contemporary Malayalam Novel- Approaches and Trends’ is a prominent tendency among contemporary Malayalam on 5 September 2013 at the College in Thiruvananthapuram. novelists. Dynamic plots and settings are also the popular R.B. Sreekala, Co-ordinator of the literary meet introduced drifts showcased by Malayalam novels today, he added. It the dignitaries on the dais and also welcomed the august was indeed a sensible evaluation of Aarachar, Aadujivitham, gathering. The programme was chaired by Babu K, Associate Basra, Manushyanu Oru Amukham, Pravasam, Ice, Aadi etc. “The Professor, Department of Malayalam. genre of Malayalam novel is not retarding, but flourishing The event was inaugurated by C.R. Prasad, Member rapidly,” he concluded. of Malayalam Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. In his Deviating from the conventional manner, V.J James inaugural address, Dr. Prasad said that the Malayalam literary started his speech by presenting a ‘panacea’ for those who critics had to be more sensible and judicious in their aspire to write a novel. Experience plus creativity adds to approach. The language used in literary works is influenced the birth of a novel, he observed. He also shared his and shaped by the changing culture and society. Dr. Prasad experience, pain and endurance behind the creation of his quoted examples from the works of S.K. Pottekkatt, Anand noted works Laikka, Chorasastram and Dattapaharam. and Basheer. He informed that it is the collective responsibility G.R. Indugopan in his presentation stressed that a novelist of the audience that gives Malayalam its due importance. should empathize with the reader and make them feel like In her felicitation speech, Mary Dorothy, Principal, an integral part of the story. Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram upheld An interactive session was followed after the presentations. the importance of Malayalam as a mother tongue and official Ashrafa Nisa, Associate Professor delivered the vote of language. Novel has the unique power to captivate human thanks. minds, she said.

C.R. Prasad delivering the inaugural address and also seen are other guests

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 43 A Literary Forum cum Hindi Day Celebrations Poets’ Meet Bengaluru

‘Literary Forum’ cum ‘Poets’ Meet’ Awas held at Puducherry on 27 September 2013 at Thamizh Sangam, Puducherry. R. Sampath, Member of General Council, Sahitya Akademi delivered his introductory speech. He spoke on the contemporary Tamil poetry, its form and content. During the ‘Poets Meet’ held thereafter, M. Lenin Thangappa shared his poetic journey in his lecture on “Me and my Poetry.” Santosh Kumar Mishra, the guest on the occassion and He also chaired the programme. In members of the Akademi staff his remark, Sri Thangappa informed the egional Office, Bengaluru organized the ‘Hindi Saptah’ at its participants and audience that he was Rpremise on 24 and 25 September 2013. Santhosh Kumar influenced by Bharatidasan’s works Mishra, Hindi Poet from Bengaluru was invited to deliver inaugural especially for the use of chaste Tamil speech. He spoke on the need to learn Hindi so as to translate and also for his powerful expression. He and promote the rich literary works of the South Indian languages also added that his acquaintance with and thereby bringing fame to the South Indian literature. Competitions Subramania Bharati’s major works opened in dictation, handwriting, translation and essay writing were conducted up new vistas of poetic sensibility for among the staff. Distribution of prizes to the winners of the him and also infused patriotism in him. competition winners were given on the same day. Prof. Mishra Arimathi Thennagan, Ko. Bharati and gave away the prizes. Maher Mansoor, Urdu poet and translator Mu Balasubramaniam presented their was also present during the occasion and delivered his concluding speeches. They reminisced their early speech. childhood days and their later experiences with literature, their inspirations and responses. Chennai Vote of thanks was delivered by Sundara Murugan, Member, Tamil ‘Hindi Day’ was celebrated in Sahitya Akademi’s Chennai Office Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi. on 23 September 2013. Veteran Hindi expert Sourirajan delivered Sethupathi, another Member of a lecture on the importance of Hindi today. Prizes were given Advisory Board also participated in this to winners of the competition in translation, essay writing, programme. handwriting and dictation.

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44 BENGALURU Symposium Moral Short Stories for Children symposium ‘Moral Short Stories popularly called as Afor Children’ was organized on 15 Magic Cho, a reputed September 2013 at Vishakapattanam. writer for children, and Sahitya Akademi, Southern Regional other reputed writers Office S P Mahalingeshwar, Officer-in- for children such charge, Sahitya Akademi, Bengaluru as Naramsetty welcomed the gathering. Umamaheswararao, B N. Gopi, Convenor, Telugu Advisory Nageswararao and Board, and former Vice-Chancellor, Potti Puttagunta Suresh Sreeramulu Telugu Vishwavidyalaya, Kumar also presented Hyderabad delivered the inaugural the papers. address. He welcomed Velaga The second session Venkatappaiah, a great personality in the was presided over by field of children’s writings, and reputed Ranga Rao, who writers of the genre for presenting papers said that playlets have in this symposium. Writing for children Velaga Venkatappaiah and N. Gopi great impact on is a difficult task than writing for adults. children. That is why the playlets must the paper on writing techniques of moral It demands dedication and devotion. contain moral values. In this session, Children’s Literature should be more short stories for children. K vibrant like a gurgling stream. Today we eminent children’s writers like Dasari Laxminarayanamma narrated her keep children engaged with heavy syllabi Venkataramana, Sivam Prabhakar, Darla experience on story-poems for children. exerting extreme pressure to excel in Chitti Babu presented the papers. The The valedictory session was presided their academic programmes. “Children’s third session was presided over by over by Velaga Venkatappaiah, Member, literature should be aimed to inculcate Belagam Bheemeswara Rao. In this Telugu Advisory Board. Reddy subtle moral values in the society. The session, PSN Murthy read the paper on Raghavaiah, Bal Sahitya Puraskar awardee writers have to extricate our children the impact of electronic media on of Sahitya Akademi also delivered his from the onslaught of globalised culture”, children. D K Chaduvula Babu presented address. Dr. Gopi observed and remarked. KSV Ramanamma, Editor, Balabata, Telugu monthly magazine, a reputed An Evening with writer for children delivered the Bal Sahitya & Yuva Sahitya Puraskar Awardees presidential address. She said that better books will certainly raise children to the heights. The books published for the A ‘Literary Forum: An evening with Bal Murthy, Bal Sahitya Puraskar Awardee 0-3 age group must contain full page Sahitya Puraskar awardee 2013 and Yuva 2013 award winner and Lakkur Anand, illustrations and less matter so that Puraskar awardee 2012 in Kannada’ held Yuva Puraskar awardee for 2012 award children can understand the story through by Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, winner were guests of honour. Subbu colourful pictures. There is a dearth of Bangalore on 21 September 2013 at Holeyar, Kannada poet spoke on Lakkur writers for children in Telugu. Auditorium, Sahitya Parishat, Anand’s poetry, and Chintamani The first session of “Moral Short Chamarajpet, Bangalore. Kodlekere, Kannada writer and critic Stories for Children” was presided over P. Chandrika, Member, Akademi’s highlighted H.S. Venkatesh Murthy’s by an eminent short story writer and Kannada Advisory Board welcomed the contribution to children’s works. former editor of Chandamama, Telugu guests and the audience for the H.S. Venkatesh Murthy, the veteran monthly. He said that all children programme. Narahalli Balasubramanya, Kannada writer and Akademi’s Bal must invariably find place for moral Convenor, Akademi’s Kannada Advisory Sahitya Puraskar award winner, said that values. Chokkapu Venkataramana, Board chaired the event. H. S. Venkatesh without sorrow there won’t be song.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 45 The children’s literature should not be measured under the yardsticks of literary criticism. Children are the real judges of the quality of their literature. Lakkur Anand, young Kannada poet and Akademi’s Yuva Puraskar awardee said that Dalits speak on the eons of their existence and were being anguished. The oppressed people should certainly write their own literature. Kannada poet Subbu Holeyar spoke on the poetry of Lakkur Anand. He said that until the dalits and women writers started writing, there L-R : Chintamani Kodlekere, Narahalli Balasubramanya, H.S. Venkatesh Murthy, Lakkur Anand and Subbu Holeyar was no significant growth in . It did not reach the mass. After poetry of the anguished and pivotal role in keeping the mindset of the dalit and women’s movement in downtrodden. the children of Karnataka both through Kannada literature, poetry widened its Chintamani Kodlekere elaborately his writings and audio/visual creations. horizon. While speaking on Lakkur spoke on the writings and contributions Narahalli Balasubramanya, presiding Anand, he said that he is like a flower of H.S. Venkatesha Murthy to Kannada over the meet, said that the programme blossomed on the inner and outer yards Children’s Literature and Cinema as well. has envisaged a dialogue among the of a village fence. His poetry is the He said that Dr. Murthy has played a writers from different communities.

His poems reflect patriotism and Symposium Pejavara Sadashiva Rao nationalism. He had a diasporic outlook considering the fact that most of his ‘Centenary Symposium’ on Pejavara Pejavara Sadashiva Rao was a precursor life was spent in Italy. His poems are ASadashiva Rao was organised on 31 of ‘Navya Sahitya.’ Though a student universal as they reflect human experience. August 2013 at Udupi. The programme of engineering, he was passionate about In the third session, A.V Navada commenced with the recital of Pejavara literature and drew material for the same made a comprehensive analysis of Sadashiva Rao’s poems by Chandrashekar from experiences in life. He can be Pejavara Sadashiva Rao’s Letters available Kedlaya. S.P. Mahalingeshwar, Officer- ranked among the eminent literary from the archive, written to Gokak and in-Charge, Sahitya Akademi, Bengaluru luminaries of coastal Karnataka namely to his mother. His letters to Gokak are welcomed the gathering. Na. Damodar Muddana, Govinda Pai, Sediyapu Krishna intensely personal wherein he gives even Shetty in his introductory remarks Bhat. Just like Shivaram Karanth and minute details about his day to day mentioned that late Pejavara Sadashiva Adiga, he was also interested in post affairs. Prajna Marpalli read the letter Rao’s vast body of writings reflected colonial theories. which Sadashiva Rao wrote to Gokak the core human values. In the first session of the symposium, when the former was in Milan University. In his inaugural address, Muralidhar Janardhana Bhat presented his paper on The letter discusses the literary works Upadhya Hiriyadka recalled how as a “Pejavara Sadashiva Rao as a Story of contemporary writers. student he read Sadashiva Rao’s works Writer.” He analyzed Pejavara’s eight In the fourth session Na. Damodar with keen interest. His literary works stories. In his stories, one gets the true Shetty presented his paper on Pejavara were best sellers. Had not Sadashiva Rao perspective of the society of his times, Sadashiva Rao as a Playwright. He passed away at a young age of 26, Sir Bhat expressed. analyzed two plays Beedigilida Naari and Kannada literature would have been In the second session, Tharini Jeevana Sangeetha. Pejavara Sadashiva Rao’s richer by many more outstanding literary Shubhadayini presented her paper on the cousin C.R. Ballal traced the history of contributions from him. poetry of Pejavara Sadashiva Rao. She Pejavara family. Narahalli Balasubramanya in his pointed out how Rao’s writings were Narahalli Balasubramanya summed presidential remarks recalled how a link between ‘Navodaya’ and ‘Navya.’ up the proceedings.

46 BENGALURU Centenary Seminar Konduru Veeraraghavacharyulu two day seminar on the ‘Centenary of session. As a physician, who treated Dr. Konduru AKonduru Veeraraghavacharyulu’ was in his last days told his experiences with him. organized on 21 September 2013 at Beeram Sundara Rao spoke about Dr. Konduru Tenali. as a novelist. Alluri Venkata Narasimha Raju S P Mahalingeshwar, Officer-in-charge, spoke on the literary talent of Dr. Konduru Sahitya Akademi, Bengaluru welcomed the as a great author. gathering. The second session on “Dr. Konduru as Velaga Venkatappaiah, Member, Telugu literary critic” was presided over by Advisory Board inaugurated the session. He Sankaranarayana. He explained his experiences narrated his association with Konduru during with Dr Konduru, during 1980s. K V his student days. He was impressed by Dr. Padmavathi, M. Ravikrishna and Jampani Konduru as a great teacher and also a Purnachandra Prasad spoke on the occasion. personality who simply believed in the values In the evening session, Velaga Venkatappaiah of life. He also said that Dr. Konduru is a a close associate and a student of Dr. Konduru, versatile writer in Telugu and his works include and also a Member, Sahitya Akademi, Telugu novels, poetry, literary criticism, philosophical Advisory Board presided over the session. works etc. He was popularly known as Annapareddy, Venkateswara Reddy, Sopinti ‘Pratyananda’. Chandrasekharachari, and Kanneganti Dr. Konduru is not only a versatile poet, Venkatrao spoke on the occasion. The fiction writer and biographer but also a great valedictory session was presided over by KTV scholar. P. , daughter of Dr. Konduru Prasad. K Kanakachari, who did research on presided over the session and narrated the Dr. Konduru, in his valedictory address great qualities and scholarships of her father. explained the life and works of Dr. Konduru. P. Dakshinamurthy, eminent physician and a Jampani Purnachandra Prasad proposed the man of letters presided over the academic vote of thanks.

L-R: Sopinti Chandrashekharachari, A. Venkateswara Reddy, Kanneganti Venkatrao and Velaga Venkatappaiah

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 47